Why Dustin Brown Is the Unsung Hero of the Los Angeles Kings’ Playoff Run

The Los Angeles Kings are one win away from their second Stanley Cup title in three years.

Winning the Cup twice as a player is a great accomplishment. Captaining a team to two championships? That’s a feat some of the game’s all-time greats—Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, among others—have accomplished. On Wednesday evening, Dustin Brown can add his name to that list.

No, he isn't and will never be held in the same regard as those Hall of Famers. But his contributions shouldn't go unrecognized. Dustin Brown finished tied with Anze Kopitar for the Kings' playoff scoring title in 2011-12 with 20 points in 20 games.  

In 2013-14, he hasn't been one of the team’s top producers offensively, but he’s still played a crucial role in the Kings’ Cup run.

 

Leadership

Brown is a quiet captain who inspires with his play on the ice. He isn't the ultimate two-way forward like Jonathan Toews, he isn't a terrifying figure in terms of stature and he won’t light the lamp every game. But, whatever it is that Darryl Sutter asks of him, he will do it. He plays with passion, and he never takes a shift off.

In speaking with Scott Burnside of ESPN.com, Zach Parise praised his U.S. Olympic teammate.

He fits in very well. He's a very likable guy. But he's also very quiet. He's always been a pretty quiet guy, although he's vocal when he has to be.

Brown is the glue for a team that thrives on puck possession, a strong forecheck and physical defense. Kopitar led the way offensively as the Kings did the unthinkable, coming back from down 3-0 to the San Jose Sharks. Dustin Brown was the team’s emotional leader with his gritty play, hitting, forechecking and backchecking to give players like Kopitar more space and time....

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