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| Andy McDonald (left) and Jonathan Quick (right) will each be integral to their team's successes. |
(2) St.
Louis Blues vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings
How They Got Here: The St. Louis Blues’ five-game
whooping of the San Jose Sharks sent
the once perennial Pacific Division leaders flopping into an offseason that may
result in a complete overhaul by the bay after they won four consecutive games.
The Blues hadn’t advanced past the first round since the 2001-02 season so a
big sigh of relief was most likely let out by Blues fans at the conclusion of
Game 5. Don’t think their fans and the players don’t want more -- they hungry
for more.
Meanwhile out on the Pacific
coast, the Los Angeles Kings shocked
the hockey world. And no, it was not just because the 29th ranked team in terms
of goal scoring was able to score at a consistent rate (but I’d like to believe
that did generate some shock value) -- they defeated the President Trophy
winning and defending Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks in five
games off the stick off the stick of Jarret Stoll whose OT winner in Game 5
propelled the Kings onto the throne. ESPN’s Barry Melrose and John Buccigross
(and failed blogger Jeff Parles) were a few notables who picked the Kings to
win, but none had it going five. Much like their foes, the Kings’ first round
cherry was popped (no word on if that’s okay to say or not), reaching the
semi-finals for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Player to Watch: For St. Louis, Andy McDonald is
the face to fear. The 34-year old Strathroy, Ontario, Canada native attained at
least one point in each of the five games against San Jose including a
four-point outing in Game 3 (1-3-4) where he made a play on all four goals
scored for St. Louis. McDonald brings with him Stanley Cup Playoff experience
to the table, playing on the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks team that won it all against
the Ottawa Senators and he isn’t the only one on the Blues. Former Devils
players Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott have the prowess and
leadership to carry the Blues onward in these playoffs, but all eyes should be
on McDonald to see if he can keep up his white-hot efforts.
For Los Angeles, is there
any doubt at all? Vezina Trophy finalist (most oustanding goaltender) Jonathan Quick may just be the Kings’
Most Valuable Player by definition AND the narrative. Quick recorded 10
shutouts during the regular season, an NHL best, and perhaps the most
remarkable thing about the Kings’ season due to their inability to score goals.
The 26 year old has stood strong between the pipes in all 74 games that he has
been in net for and in the Vancouver series out of 172 shots faced he stopped
an incredible 164 of them (.953 SV%). If Los Angeles wants to continue their torrid
run towards the Stanley Cup, Quick will absolutely have to play up to this
level. And as we’ve seen, a hot goaltender may just be all that you need.
Who Wins: This
series won’t be for the weak of heart, or for the fan of offense in hockey. St.
Louis and Los Angeles finished as 1st and 2nd respectively in Goals Against
Average (1.89, 2.07) and believe it or not, tied for 1st after the first round
of the playoffs (1.60). The Kings were pegged as Cup contenders in the regular
season and struggled mightily just to make the playoffs. The Blues were
afterthoughts and rose to the top of the West in the incredibly hard Central
division and Ken Hitchcock, in my opinion, is the runaway choice
for the Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year). Two sides of the spectrum, two
different roads, and in this collision of defensive minded teams, I think the glitz
and the glamour of Tinseltown beats out The Gateway to the West. And that might
be the biggest oxymoron ever, because folks, this series won’t be won prettily.
Los Angeles in 7.
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