5 Most Heartbreaking Playoff Series Losses in New Jersey Devils History
3. 2012 Stanley Cup Finals: Los Angeles Kings win series 4-2
This is not Steve Bernier’s fault. This is not Steve Bernier’s fault. This is not Steve Bernier’s fault. The Devils losing the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals was not Steve Bernier’s fault. It was Chris Rooney’s! Not really, but the point remains. Bernier’s boarding call in the first period of game six of the was not the reason why the Devils lost. The overtime losses in games one and two at home were pretty much a good reason as to why they lost. But once again, this Devils team was not supposed to be here. This was either supposed to be the Canucks or the Rangers year. However, the Kings decided to become Greek Gods and never lose again after the regular season ends. It was a run by New Jersey that most people don’t even remember happening.
It was also a run that was almost ruined by Scott Clemmensen and the Florida Panthers in round one. Adam Henrique was the hero in the first round. Dainius Zubrus was the thorn in the Flyers’ side in round two. Henrique was once again the hero in the Conference Finals as previously mentioned before. Getting to the finals was an interesting path. Overcoming a non-divisional opponent that always seemed to have their number and then overthrowing two arch rivals to reach the first Stanley Cup final since 2003. The Kings’ path was very different. They won twelve games and only lost two games as the 8 seed. Jonathan Quick became a Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek super goalie, and eventually won the Conn Smythe. The Devils had to scratch and claw their way at times while the Kings dominated.
The series itself is a lot closer than some people may remember. The first two games were very crucial. The Devils had a home-ice advantage and needed to capitalize early to destroy Cinderella’s ball. However, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter both scored in the overtimes of games one and two. Mark Fayne had a glorious chance for the Devils to win one of the games but somehow missed a wide-open net. Down two games to nothing heading back to Los Angeles, the Staples Center was rocking and the scoreboard was the same way. The Kings took game three by a score of four to nothing. Down three games to none, it would have taken a miracle for a comeback. For games four and five, the Devils put in a much more complete effort and won both. Then, Game 6 happened. You know the rest.
The aftermath of the Finals makes it a little bit sourer than it should have been. Captain Zach Parise went on home to Minnesota instead of staying and bring Ryan Suter with him. Ilya Kovalchuk went on home to Russia. David Clarkson went on home to Toronto. While the most overlooked part about that series is that it was the last hurrah for Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias. Two franchise cornerstones had one last opportunity to celebrate in New Jersey. Brodeur is the only player to play in all five Stanley Cup Finals appearances in franchise history. Maybe he would have called it quits if they had won in 2012 instead of sticking and ending his career with the St. Louis Blues.