Sweep

Well, it's no surprise to anyone that the #LAKings are on the verge of sweeping the Rangers from the 2013-14 NHL Stanley Cup Final. I think most of the pundits had Los Angeles is 5-games. The most optimistic Ranger believers had them in 7. I think that assumed Lundqvist would steal 3-games and a lucky bounce for the 4th win.

The surprise that is no surprise, is how it happened. The #LAKings were the Best of the West. The Western Conference had a huge advantage over the East all regular-season. This series was to be a formality. So, in a fashion that is typical of this Playoff year, the hardest path has been taken. Give up 2-goal leads multiple times in the games at home, only to win in OT and 2OT respectively. The heart attack Kings had not lead a game in over 240-minutes, (4-games worth), yet had a 3-0 game record in that span. Things only looked to get tougher as the series shifted to Madison Square Garden! Well, that turned out to be a 3-0 shutout for Quick, despite doubling up the #LAKings in shots. Most of the MSG faithful had left the building with 10-minutes left in the 3rd. At least that performance was directly reminiscent of 2012.

In keeping with the necessary symmetry of the 2012 Cup run, the #LAKings also went OT, OT and shutout against New Jersey. That series went 6-games. I'm not sure how to predict what's the opposite, yet similar path for the upcoming Game 4. I just want them to win the damn thing again. But if karma and drama continue to be themes for this year's team, it will be something to not miss.