For New Jersey, Martin Brodeur played a lot like the Martin Brodeur of 2000, Ilya Kovalchuk played perhaps his most complete season yet, and Zach Parise didn't get injured. Throw in the emergence of rookies Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson and unlikely contributions from the likes of Bryce Salvador and Steve Bernier and a cast-off in coach Peter DeBoer and you have your Eastern Conference champions.
Los Angeles was predicted to compete for the Stanley Cup Finals this year. However, a lackadaisical regular season that saw many players not named Jonathan Quick underachieve for most of the year and Dustin Penner becoming the butt of many pancake jokes had the Kings almost not make the playoffs. However, a trade for Jeff Carter and the Pancake Penner-gate have helped the Kings get into the playoffs, where the likes of Penner, Carter, Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Dustin Brown have provided some offense to go along with the sterling goaltending of Quick. A mid-season coaching change that saw Darryl Sutter come in also provided a spark and reminded everyone why Sutter was a great coach (just keep him away from the General Manager's chair). Everything came together in the playoffs for the Kings, as all three division champions were beaten, and it didn't hurt that the Kings played like kings on the road.
Predictions will be coming either Tuesday or Wednesday.
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