We have seen in recent history organizations such as Tampa Bay, Carolina and Anaheim all win the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately not one of them could sustain and repeat that success they achieved long term. Could the Los Angeles Kings build a consistent Stanley Cup contending team in the mold of the Detroit Red Wings or the New Jersey Devils?

Newark - - When you host the Stanley Cup playoffs even the slightest imperfection in your barn shows up like a HUGE gaping issue and last game the imperfect ice was discussed afterwards. Both sides have to play on it. Nobody ever gets used to it because it makes a team play differently.

“The ice here is a little choppy,” said Kings veteran defenseman, Rob Scuderi. “It was hopping a lot. Even for them. It’s the same for everybody. We’re not complaining about it. It’s something that you have to look out for. Especially on defense. You’re the last man.

Phoenix-Chicago

Strengths: Both the Blackhawks and Coyotes are playoff tested teams. Chicago clearly has more Cup experience based on their 2010 win but their special teams have been shaky and their goaltending is unsettled at best. Can they get past the Coyotes like this?

The Coyotes have the 8th ranked penalty kill and their goaltender Mike Smith is the team’s best at it. He’s having a career year and he can clearly steal this series from the Blackhawks if he plays his best hockey.

Philadelphia – The Flyers are gearing up for the playoffs. Teams that come into town that don’t play a complete game can’t expect to beat this team right now as they are firing on all cylinders. Enter the Montreal Canadiens who are in last place in the East. They had the best PK in the league yet they put the Flyers on the power play 5 times. They didn’t have any discipline and after getting a very pretty breakaway goal by Tomas Plekanec they never scored again. They lost the game 4-1 and were officially eliminated from the playoffs.