Just to get this out of the way now, I really will miss Bob and Jim (mentioned during my live-tweet of game 7…definitely will be doing that some more as the playoffs progress, so check back here later for the whens and the whats). One gets used to the steady and lively call during the season from those two – the national crew on NBC (no other crew, honestly) can really compare in my book, and I’m not saying that just as a fan but as someone who watches a lot of hockey. See you guys next season.

Now, how crazy was that series? After giving up double-digit goals in the first 3 games, I don’t think Jonathan Quick gave up more than three in the four wins combined. That’s the Quick WE all know and love, and the one who I think is here to stay. I feel like I’ve watched enough to be able to have some sort of opinion, but he can be streaky at times. I mean, the steady/stellar usually lasts longer than the shaky, but I don’t think he’s had a season as a starter where he didn’t go through stretches of shoddy play. That said, he always picks up his play when the stakes are high and really shows up when the moment gets big – you’re not the Olympic starter for no reason (yes, double-negative, whatever) – and the team in front of him knows that. Like a lot of the talking heads yesterday said, it’s really nice as a player to know that your goalie gives you a chance to win every game (like playing baseball with your stud ace on the mound), and this group that’s been together for so long now just never panics. Anyone watching, or who knows this Kings era under Darry Sutter, knows that that is this team’s M.O.

Which leads me to what I think was the greatest factor in this series – the coaching. From a preparation standpoint, Sutter has, and has always had, this team in the right frame of mind. One game at a time, no one matters but the next one. To a man, every King says the same thing when answering the same questions after every game – “This one’s over, gotta get ready for the next.” After every game, the quotes never differ, in season or during the playoffs. They got their asses handed to them every one of those first three games, but they all knew that all they had to do was win game 4. Then game 5. 6. And 7. The right adjustments were made, and boom. Slow start, had to take the time to figure out how to beat the Sharks, whatever – Sutter made the right moves, and San Jose couldn’t answer. Shark coach Todd McClellan said as much himself in his post game presser: “[The Kings] fixed their mistakes, ours got progressively worse…That’s ultimately on me.” That’s exactly what happened, to it’s utmost, and that’s really a testament this Kings team. They all bought in, all on the bus Sutter’s driving, all drank his Kool Aid. And it could lead to another Stanley Cup.

Two quick thoughts: Mike Richards as a 4th line center might be the greatest luxury in playoff history; Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, I think, are going to become mainstays on a line together with the Kings. Depth is the greatest thing ever.

The story of game 7 was penalties. The Kings, I think, had 6, and with that Sharks skill, the PK had to stand up. It did every time – the only time I think I ever heard Joe Thornton’s name all night was when he was losing faceoffs. And let’s not forget how strong the Kings’ support D in front of the net was – I can recall numerous occasions when a defenseman’s stick cleared a puck out from in front of an open net. A full team effort, but Quick definitely owes his D a nice steak dinner. Good thing the Palm is just down the street from Staples.

Either way: Locked. Down.

Now, in a perfect world, the Kings win the Cup, right? Well, for that to happen, I see them having to go through San Jose (HA!), Anaheim, Chicago and Boston. Holy shit. After a series that had to see close to 600 total hits through 7 games, could the boys get too worn down at some point to make it all the way? Time will tell, I suppose. I don’t see it happening personally, but the ride will certainly be fun either way.

More playoff hockey for my Kings. I’m stoked.

And here’s to the accomplishment itself: the 4th team out of 178(?) to ever come back from being down 3-0 in a series. Now the 9th(?) ever to force a game 7 after being down three. That really is some shit, and I hope all those dudes involved can appreciate it at some point in their lives – we all know Mr. Sutter could give a fuck.

And he’s right. Game’s over, series is over, on to the next one.

Bring on the D(S)ucks.

– R