The NHL playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular this year as hockey’s second season has given us controversy, bloodshed, agony and triumph of euphoric proportions. Now after almost eight weeks it comes down to two teams giving it their all for the right to lift the best trophy in sports. Below you will find a comprehensive look at the match-up between Jersey’s finest and some dumb team from California.

(6) New Jersey Devils vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings

The Devils welcome the Kings for game 1 (tonight 8 pm, NBC) having disposed of the rival Rangers in six games (just like someone predicted) and return to the Finals for the first time in nine years. Last time around they played host to another Southern California team which fell to the Devils in 7 games giving them their third cup in 8 years.

The Devils enter the finals as the underdog for the third straight series having disposed of the Flyers and top-seeded Blueskirts respectively. They are likely still riding the wave of emotion brought to them by Adam Henrique’s second OT winner of the playoffs last Friday. While all the talk has been about the Kings impressive 12-2 record while being undefeated on the road, the Devils have faced tougher opponents and been pushed to within a goal of elimination twice. Overcoming such feats and winning 4 of the 5 OT sessions could be the difference maker. Martin Brodeur looked great against the Rangers pulling out all kinds of wacky ass saves and Kovalchuk kept on scoring big goals in big spots while the fourth line also did their part. Its the beauty of the playoffs when you see grinders not known for their goal scoring abilities come through in the clutch.

The same could be said for the Kings but I would be lying to you if I knew much about them going into the playoffs. Netminder, Jonathon Quick is one damn good goalie who stands in the crease at a really bizarre angle; shooting high is advisable. They have a decent eastern Euro of their own named Anze Kopitar who wears a really dumb dark visor because he thinks he’s Alex Ovechkin. Then you got Dustin Brown, Dustin Penner, and Drew Doughty or the 3 D’s of doom. That’s likely not their nickname but it damn well should be.

Regardless of the outcome, the Kings being in the Cup Final could only be good for the state of California as hockey elitists laugh at the idea of hockey succeeding in a non-wintery area. Plus think about all the bandwagon fans they’ll get by the end, it already started. Based on that above picture and past posts it shouldn’t really surprise you that I am picking the Devils in 6 only because I don’t want to cancel my Canadian vacation should there be a game 7. Suck it LA.

Spartak’s Playoff Picks: 7-7 with three perfect series

- Spartak