As the final seconds ticked down in Edmonton in Game 6, Kings fans were surely feeling sorry for themselves and maybe even thinking that only the LA Kings could lose to the same team four years in a row in the first round, right?
Wrong. The Boston Bruins were already passengers on this pain train back in the mid-80s. The Bruins ran into their hated rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, every year in the first round between 1984 and 1987, and like the Kings, were sent packing every time.
If, however, the Kings continue to follow the Bruins’ example, they may find themselves in a very long playoff run nest season.
After four straight losses at the hands of the Habs, Ray Bourque and the Bruins started cooking in 1988. After avoiding Montreal in the first round this time-maybe something the Kings should think about- Boston would take out Dave Andreychuk and the Buffalo Sabres in six games in the first round.
In the second round it would be time for redemption: a rematch with the red, white, and blue nemesis known as the Montreal Canadiens. This time, however, Ray Bourque, Cam Neeley, and Ken Linsemen would finally have their revenge against Le Tricolore in five games.
The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) on X1988. Habs/Bruins. Adams Div Final. With this goal, Cam Neely puts the icing on the cake and Boston finally beats Montreal in the playoffs. They had gone 0-18 in series since 1946 and Seabass slays the dragon. #NHLBruins
But getting the Montreal monkey off their back wasn’t enough for Boston. They were hungry for more and went on to defeat Kirk Muller and the New Jersey Devils in seven games in the Prince of Wales Conference Finals.
And here’s where the parallels with the Los Angeles Kings come into focus. Who did the Bruins face in the Cup Finals? The Edmonton Oilers. Gulp.
Now it’s true that the current Oilers feature the formidable duo of McDavid and Draisaitl, it’s fair to stay they have nothing on the 1988 Oilers. A quick glace at that roster reveals names such as Jari Kuri, Mark Messier, and Wayne Gretzky: a far cry from the likes of Connor Brown, Evander Kane, and Zach Hyman.
Facing the fire power of these future Hall of Famers would prove to be too much for Boston and they would eventually find themselves on the wrong end of a sweep.
Thus, if it’s any solace to the Kings and their fans, precedent has shown that the fifth time can be the charm. The formula? Avoid Edmonton in the first round next year and then don’t lose in the Finals.
Piece of cake.
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