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I cannot say that I am terribly surprised the Los Angeles Kings have advanced to the Western Conference final. I picked the Los Angeles Kings to represent the Western Conference ... the moment they received Mike Richards. #Right on the money. Congratulations, to your Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings.

One thing I can say I am surprised about, the Los Angeles Kings finished in eighth place and they still managed to live up to my hefty expectations. I never lost hope though. Kings' GM Dean Lombardi pulled all the right strings this season. As a result, the Los Angeles Kings can become the first eighth place team in National Hockey League history to win the Stanley Cup.

The only previous 8th place team to ever make it to the finals were the 2005-06 Edmonton Oilers but they lost in 7 games to the Carolina Hurricanes. This was one of the most dissatisfying times of my life... In case you don't know, by now, the Edmonton Oilers are my team. I hope the Los Angeles Kings are able to make the history the Edmonton Oilers were unable to achieve.

The two teams I thought had the best chance of winning this season were the Washington Capitals and LA Kings.

I don't mean to sound biased, but when one of your predicted teams makes the finals... it's clear who am cheering for... Don't get me wrong, winning the Stanley Cup will not be a cakewalk for the Los Angeles Kings at this point. The New York Rangers or New Jersey Devils will no doubt provide stiff competition.

However, my Stanley Cup pick has not changed. The Los Angeles Kings will bring home their first Stanley Cup. 

As I explained in a recent article, LA's only weakness is the power- play. Last night, that was more evident than ever. The game could've been finished, way before overtime. I'm sure this team will work on the power-play during its time off. It may not even be a problem anymore.

One more thing, Dustin Brown should win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Where would the Kings be today if he was traded at the deadline?