Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is all but a shoo-in for the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy. This would make him the second straight American stopper to be an NHL playoff MVP, succeeding Tim Thomas.
He would join only Thomas and Brian Leetch of the 1994 New York Rangers as an American Conn Smythe recipient.
It could happen as early as Wednesday night at the Staples Center, when the Kings vie for a sweep of New Jersey. Together, Brown and Quick can garner their game to a level of fascination not achieved by any American captain-goalie tandem since Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig.
They can also spawn a marketing field day for USA Hockey, Ithaca High School, Avon Old Farms School, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the Manchester Monarchs.
Not unlike Hatcher, Brown can deliver an NHL franchise’s first Cup. Not unlike Leetch, Rangers’ American goaltender Mike Richter and Thomas, Quick can deliver a long-awaited title to one of the country’s five largest sports markets.
Adding to the imminent multitude of milestones, the Kings are on the verge of becoming the first eighth-seeded team to win a title under the NHL’s current playoff format.
When, and if, the Kings finish off the Devils within the next week, there is absolutely nothing the league can complain about.
Ditto to all those associated with USA Hockey.
Prominent American players introducing Stanley Cup glory to a prominent American sports market in spite of an immense underdog status?
That can do nothing less than sprinkle seeds to grow national interest in the game.
Of those major markets currently with an NHL team, Los Angele...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Kings
