Los Angeles Kings

NEWARK, N.J. - Even Darryl Sutter 's extended family seems to be getting a kick out of his televised media briefings during the Stanley Cup Final between the Kings and New Jersey Devils. Nephew Brody Sutter tweeted about the Kings coach the other day: "My uncle Darryl's interviews never cease to amaze me. What a guy. #ShortAndSweet #BeautyAlert" Brody, who was drafted last year by the Carolina Hurricanes, happens to be the son of Duane Sutter , who won four Stanley Cups playing for the New York Islanders.

NEWARK, N.J. - - The Kings and the Stanley Cup winged their way east Thursday, taking separate flights. The Kings hope to take the bauble back as carry-on luggage Sunday. All that stands in their way are the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final this evening at the Prudential Center. While the Kings missed their chance to celebrate on home ice, the moment will be no less sweet if they wrap things up near the swamps of Jersey. It would be the Kings' first title since they entered the NHL as an expansion team before the 1967-68 season.

There were two schools of thought as the Kings and New Jersey Devils made their way east to continue the Stanley Cup Final. 1. The Kings are in good shape. They take a 3-1 series lead back on the road, where they have a 10-0 record during the 2012 playoffs, an NHL record. Center Anze Kopitar said it was "unfortunate" that the Kings couldn't wrap up the series at home, but, "We feel comfortable on the road. " 2. The Devils have the momentum. They pulled off a 3-1 victory in Game 4 on Monday and are headed home, where they were oh-so-close in losing two overtime games to open the series.

Tracy Morrissey has been a Los Angeles Kings fan since she was 7-years-old, when the franchise had only been in existence for three years. "Basically forever," as her husband, Patrick, put it. She stuck with the team through the brightest and bleakest of seasons. Now, she says she's ready for a Stanley Cup. "This is amazing," said Tracy, who runs a blog about the Kings. "All day long my heart was racing, I thought I was having a mini-heart attack. I had to get out of work.

Just a slice of awesome zen at Wednesday's morning skate, filling the air with anticipation at Staples Center before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Kings and the Devils. The Kings lead the best-of-seven series, three games to none, and could win their first Stanley Cup tonight. Kings left wing Dustin Penner had said before Game 1 in Newark that it felt like Christmas morning. If so, then how about this? "If there was a better holiday than Christmas, it would be today," Penner said.

L.A. Live and the rest of the area surrounding Staples Center is buzzing this afternoon in anticipation of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils. Even though the puck doesn't drop for another two hours, fans are already chanting, "We want the Cup," as they prepare to root on the Kings to what would be their first NHL championship. The lines outside surrounding restaurants are filled with fans wearing purple, silver and black.

Writers from around Tribune Co. discuss the New Jersey Devils' chances of winning a game against the L.A. Kings in the Stanley Cup Final. The Kings lead the best-of-seven series, 3-0, and can close it out with a win Wednesday at Staples Center. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the conversation by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own. Lisa Dillman, Los Angeles Times Wondering, actually, if Kings goalie Jonathan Quick will crack and allow another goal.

As the Los Angeles Kings push closer to a Stanley Cup championship, sports bars across Southern California are suddenly enamored with the team and getting a crash course in the culture and rules of the game. But not at the North End Bar and Grill in Hermosa Beach. Here, the Kings are the hometown team. Many of the players drink there, call patrons their neighbors and mingle freely at community events. Last week, as the Kings were on the road to their first Cup victory, North End patron Jennifer Henriksen proudly pulled out her iPhone and showed off images of players celebrating at the bar a few weeks earlier.

Any bit of mild criticism at this stage simply sounds like carping or a random attempt to be contrarian. Except when it is coming from the Kings themselves. Yes, these 15-2-in-the-playoffs Kings. It involves the process of elimination, and you might say it's been a tricky one. The Kings were unable to dismiss the Vancouver Canucks on their first attempt, in Game 4 at Staples Center, and the same happened against the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference finals in Game 4. In between, they swept the St. Louis Blues.

It's all over but the polishing of the Stanley Cup. All over but for a day and a half of the Kings dutifully insisting they can play better and the New Jersey Devils reminding everyone that other NHL teams have erased a series deficit of three games to none and there's no reason they can't too. Except the Devils can't do it. And won't. The Kings' performance Monday in a 4-0 victory at a rocking, raucous Staples Center was as commanding as any they've given during a playoff sprint that on Wednesday could match the 16-2 mastery of the 1988 Edmonton Oilers, considered one of the most powerful teams ever assembled.