Hot Kings prepare for Game 2 of West finals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Greetings from the scene of Game 2 of the NHL’s Western Conference finals, where it was 101 degrees (with 9% humidity) at 1 p.m. PT.
The folks who run Jobing.com Arena kept the building very cold for Game 1 on Sunday and did a pretty good job with the ice during the Kings’ 4-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. The ice specialists will have another challenge tonight with the 6 p.m. PT start, but we’ve all seen worse ice in rinks where the temperatures are lower and the humidity is higher.
The Kings’ 9-1 playoff start has drawn a lot of attention — and rightfully so — and has raised questions about where it ranks in Stanley Cup history. The experts at the Elias Sports Bureau say 11 other teams have started a playoff year 9-1, but that includes four teams who did it during the era it took only 12 victories to win the Cup.
Since teams have had to win at least 15 games to claim the Cup, seven teams have had 9-1 starts and three of them went on win. Here’s the list of teams that started the playoffs 9-1 and the outcome:
Edmonton Oilers 1983 — lost Cup final to the New York Islanders.
Edmonton Oilers 1985 — won the Cup.
Edmonton Oilers 1988 — won the Cup.
Detroit Red Wings 1995 — lost Cup final to the New Jersey Devils.
Buffalo Sabres 1998 — lost the Eastern Conference final to the Washington Capitals.
Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 — won the Cup.
Pittsburgh Penguins 2008 — lost Cup final to the Detroit Red Wings.
A couple of programming notes:
Game 2 will be aired nationally on NBC Sports Network, with Dave Strader, Darren Pang and Brian Engblom providing play by play and commentary. Click here to find what channel NBCSN is on your cable system.
After the game, FSWest is scheduled to air a postseason edition of “Kings Live” that will feature Bob Miller and Jim Fox.
On radio, AM 1150 will provide coverage starting at 4:30 p.m., with Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans.
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