Los Angeles Kings: 2012 Stanley Cup Champions

At the beginning of this season, no one would believe that the Los Angeles Kings would be named Stanley Cup Champions. In fact, not many believed so throughout most of the postseason.

But, after 16 stellar performances by the Los Angeles Kings, they secured their first-ever Stanley Cup title within their 45-year existence.

The Kings faced many challenges down the road, just as any Stanley Cup Champion does. After shocking the world by defeating the President's Trophy champion Vancouver Canucks in five games, the Kings continued their plow by sweeping the young St. Louis Blues, and battling through a five-game series with the division-rival Phoenix Coyotes. While it took six games to decide this series, the Kings were always in control, and were able to finish it off in front of their home crowd, with a stunning Game 6 performance.

Some major and impressive accomplishments fulfilled by this Kings team include:

• First No. 8 seed in either conference to win a Stanley Cup
• Had a 3-0 series lead in all four series
• Only one loss on the road throughout all of the postseason
• Led by the second American-born captain to win a Stanley Cup (first was Derian Hatcher with the 1999 Dallas Stars)
• First team to win the Stanley Cup at home since 2007 (Anaheim Ducks)

What truly made this Kings team special was the balance of veterans who had been there before, such as Justin Williams and Rob Scuderi, mixed together with young talent like Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, as well as Conn Smythe Trophy winning goaltender Jonathan Quick.  

With the season over, the Kings have an offseason of celebrating, relaxation and satisfaction. The Stanley Cup may travel elsewhere in the future, but the memories created this season will never escape the minds of all involved with the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.