London Knights' Tommy Hughes, right, and Edmonton Oil Kings' Mitchell Moroz collide, forcing linesman Antoine Grenier to climb the boards, May 22, 2012. AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jacques Boissinot

NHL Draft Preview 2012

This weekend sees the 2012 NHL Entry draft in Pittsburgh so we at hockeyfights.com figured it was about time we'd give you a run down on what physical, tough players are available out of the OHL, QMJHL and WHL.

Mathew Dumba - D
Red Deer Rebels - WHL
Ranked #11 by Central Scouting

Dumba is a devastating hitter, an excellent skater, and possesses great offensive instincts. Due to his aggressive offensive game he can sometimes be a liability defensively. Dumba didn't receive a fighting major in the WHL in 2011-12 but he did drop his gloves in the Top Prospects game. In the past he's shown a willingness to fight and is pretty good at it. The biggest question mark regarding Dumba is whether or not his physical game can translate to the professional level. While Dumba does play a high risk high reward type of game he certainly has huge upside.

Brendan Gaunce - C
Belleville Bulls - OHL
Ranked #13 by Central Scouting

Gaunce is a hard working player that always shows up. He has great instincts and a nose for the net. He has a big shot as well and knows how to find the net. He plays gritty and will stick up for his team-mates. He is the total package and should go early in the first round.

Continue reading: NHL Draft Preview 2012

Drew Doughty, Colin Fraser and Jonathan Quick celebrate as time runs off the clock. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Kings, 2011-12 Stanley Cup Champs

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings, the 2011-12 Stanley Cup champions.

This is the first Cup for the Kings in their 45-year history.

Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe award for playoff MVP. This is the second year in a row a goaltender has won the award. Tim Thomas was last year's recipient.

Some immediate coverage:

• LA Times: Kings Win Stanley Cup
• LA Daily News (AP): L.A. Kings win first Stanley Cup
• OC Register: Kings pound Devils, clinch Stanley Cup
• NHL.com: Kings rout Devils 6-1 to win first Cup
• TSN: CP recap
• ESPN: AP recap plus video with Steve Levy and Barry Melrose

Continue reading: Los Angeles Kings, 2011-12 Stanley Cup Champs

Zach Parise scores a goal past Jonathan Quick Zach Parise scores a goal past Jonathan Quick.

Devils Continue Comeback, Hand Kings First Road Loss

The New Jersey Devils refuse to give in.

Zach Parise and Bryce Salvador scored to give them a 2-1 victory at Prudential Center to take the Stanley Cup finals back to Los Angeles for a Game Six. It was the first loss on the road for the Kings this playoff season.

Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur came up big for the Devils, turning away 25 shots including a Jarrett Stoll breakaway when the score was tied at 1-1.

Salvador has now scored four goals in the postseason after going scoreless through 82 games of the regular season and New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer said: "That's something that he's really kind of mastered here over the last month of the playoffs. He's had great composure back there for us, getting shots through. We wouldn't be here without him."

Continue reading: Devils Continue Comeback, Hand Kings First Road Loss

Adam Henrique scores the game-winning goal. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

Devils Keep Series Going With First Win

There's a long road ahead for the New Jersey Devils if they're to win the Stanley Cup, but the word sweep has been eliminated from the record books as the series heads back to New Jersey for game 5.

The game was scoreless going into the third period. Patrick Elias gave the Devils their first lead of the series 7:56 into the period. Just one minute later, after an iffy call on David Clarkson, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty scored a power play goal to tie it.

As the clock continued and another overtime seemed imminent Adam Henrique scored high on Jonathan Quick off of a great pass from Clarkson. That would be the game-winner and Ilya Kovalchuk capped off the Devils first win with an empty-net goal.

Continue reading: Devils Keep Series Going With First Win

Jonathan Quick blocks a shot from Travis Zajac. Louis Lopez/CSM

Kings One Win Away From Sweep, Cup

The Los Angeles Kings are just one win away from their first Stanley Cup.

Alec Martinez, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams scored to gives the Kings a 4-0 victory and 3-0 series lead over New Jersey Devils.

But it was penalty killing that was key to the victory according to Kings coach Darryl Sutter.

Carter and Williams scored on the powerplay as the Kings converted two of their three opportunities, while killing off five New Jersey man-advantage chances.

Jonathan Quick continued his stellar postseason performance, turning away all 22 shots he faced for his third shutout of the playoffs.

Continue reading: Kings One Win Away From Sweep, Cup

Dustin Penner celebrates after Jeff Carter scored the game-winning goal in overtime. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Jeff Carter Sends Kings Back to LA Up 2-0

The New Jersey Devils have a lot of work to do.

Jeff Carter tallied 13:42 into overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-1 victory at Prudential Center and 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals.

But the most remarkable statistic is that the Kings tied an NHL record with a 10th victory on the road. Los Angeles are perfect on the road in the postseason and gives them the chance to close out the series on home ice at Staples Center.

Carter picked the puck up behind New Jersey's net before cycling round and rifling a shot past Martin Brodeur's blocker.

Continue reading: Jeff Carter Sends Kings Back to LA Up 2-0