2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Lore & Background

The Kings became the first eighth-seeded team to win the Stanley Cup in NHL history. They also became the first team in NHL history to have a 3-0 lead in all four playoff rounds. Their postseason began with an elimination of the Vancouver Canucks, who became the third Presidents' Trophy-winning team in the last four seasons to be eliminated in the opening round. Los Angeles went on to become the second team to eliminate the first, second, and third seeds from the playoffs in the same postseason after the 2003–04 Calgary Flames. In addition, the Kings became the first team to make the Finals undefeated on the road (with their 8–0 record). Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, having recorded a 1.41 goals against average, was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs' most valuable player.

In Their Own Story

The arena in Newark was quiet in a way that felt almost sacred. The final puck dropped, and the Kings' forecheck hit the Devils like a wave against a seawall. Kopitar pinned the puck along the boards, Doughty came around the net, and the screen in front of the Devils' goaltender was a wall of Kings blue and gold. The shot went in. The horn blared. The ice erupted. Players skated in a tangled mass of sticks and skates, helmets flying, and for a moment the only sound was the roar of a crowd that had come to defend its team and instead watched it fall. In the Kings' bench, Rob Blake stood with his arms crossed, jaw tight, watching his players pile on top of each other. Jonathan Quick walked to the center ice, removed his mask, and let the noise wash over him. He had held the line for six games, and now the line was his to cross. The Cup would be in Los Angeles by morning. Forty-five years of waiting, and it was over.

Reader's Guide

The Kings were the eighth seed in the Western Conference with 95 points. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks (first seed), St. Louis Blues (second seed), Phoenix Coyotes (third seed), and New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Final.

Did You Know?

• The Kings were the first eighth-seeded team to win the Stanley Cup in NHL history.
• The Kings were the first team in NHL history to have a 3-0 lead in all four playoff rounds.
• The Kings became the first team to make the Finals undefeated on the road (8–0).
• Jonathan Quick recorded a 1.41 goals against average and won the Conn Smythe Trophy.