Stanley Cup Final 2014 Begins Wednesday: Broadway Versus Hollywood

We'll guys, we have a New York-Los Angeles pro championship series for the first time since 2002.

When you think New York-Los Angeles championship series, what do you think of? Of course the Knicks-Lakers series of 1970 (featuring Willis Reed's return in game 7) and 1973, Dodgers-Yankees 1981 World Series (the last of the major championship series between the two series), and the 2002 WNBA Finals between the Sparks and Liberty (yes folks, it is still basketball).

Now we have a Kings-Rangers series. The Kings finished third in the Pacific this year, got through the Sharks in the first round, the Ducks in the semifinals, and the Blackhawks in the conference final. For the third straight year (second time in three years), Darryl Sutter and his staff know that it's "fuck the regular season, it's the playoffs that matter." And they live up to that mantra. Did you know after the West final series game 7 that they have been unbeaten in game sevens? That's the fact Jack.

The Rangers on the other hand became the first NYC area team since the Devils in 2011-12 to reach the final. It is also their first since 1994 (and the rest was history). They also have that fresh 1994 car smell. It was in the East final where they sent the Habs home in game 6. The Habs were the only Canadian franchise in this year's playoffs.

With that in mind, the series schedule.

STANLEY CUP FINAL
(3P) Kings v (2M) Rangers
(Best of seven)
Game 1: Tomorrow
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: Monday
Game 4: 6.11
Game 5: 6.13*
Game 6: 6.16*
Game 7: 6.18*
*-If necessary, of course.

The real finals series. Forget about that other finals series that starts Thursday (see preview tomorrow). In Canada, it's all on CBC, while here in the states, games 1, 2 and 5-7 (if necessary) will be on NBC, while 3 and 4 are on NBCSN.

The NHL's Frozen Four 2012 Begins Tonight!

A month removed from the men's Division I Frozen Four in Tampa, so now there's the NHL's version of the Frozen Four.

The Kings, the number 8 seed in the west, could become the first number 8 seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs history to go all the way. Could that happen? With Jono Quick performing brilliantly in goal in the postseason, along with supporting cast of Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar among others, could they carry on that 92-93 magic? We'll see tonight as the Kings open their Western Conference Final series with the Coyotes.

Meanwhile in the East, it's another throwback of itself. Rangers/Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals. It's 1993-94 all over again as both young teams trying to get back in the Stanley Cup Finals, neither one haven't done in almost a decade, especially the Devils.

WEST finals
Best of seven
(3) Coyotes v (8) Kings
Game 1 5.13
Game 2 5.15
Game 3 5.17
Game 4 5.20
Game 5 5.22*
Game 6 5.24*
Game 7 5.26*

EAST finals
Best of seven
(1) Rangers v (6) Devils
Game 1 5.14
Game 2 5.16
Game 3 5.19
Game 4 5.21
Game 5 5.23*
Game 6 5.25*
Game 7 5.27*
*-if necessary.

LIVE and EXCLUSIVE to NBC, NBC Sports Network, CBC and TSN. BECAUSE it's the CUP.

Also there's the 2012 IIHF Men's World Championships, follow along at the IIHF's facebook (or twitter) or IIHF.com!

A Reminder...

Flyers/Rangers Winter Classic 2012 in about half an hour on NBC! Fuck the bowl games!

Cards Win and La Russa Retires.

A great seven game series that had its ups and downs for both the Rangers and Cards, and now at age 67, Tony La Russa has officially retired. God speed to a career spanning over three decades.

World Series 2011: Rated 'NC17' For Dangerous Swings.

The Rangers are back and so are the Cards. Both took six games in their league championship series. Now it's the Fall Classic. Game 1 is tonight.

Game 1 10/19 @ St. Louis
Game 2 10/20 @ St. Louis
Game 3 10/22 @ Rangers
Game 4 10/23 @ Rangers
Game 5 10/24 @ Rangers*
Game 6 10/26 @ St. Louis*
Game 7 10/27 @ St. Louis*
*-if necessary

All games exclusive to Fox.

NOTE: Saints-Colts SNF will compete with Game 4 on Sunday night. Heavy channel switching whilst I listen to Jim and Hokey on radio.

Hideki Irabu Died.

Apparent suicide, aged 42.

Irabu came to the states in the late '90s with the Yankees after a successful career back home in Japan, one of the world's biggest baseball markets. After a few seasons he was traded to the Expos (Nationals) and then to the Rangers.

34-35 overall record, 5.15 earned run average until 2002, his last year at the Rangers. He had some off-field trouble that hampered his career.

Tragedy at a Rangers Game.

**NSFW**

Man was doing something for his son. A firefighter who like other firefighters sacrificing lives for others is sacrificing his son. The ultimate sacrifice. May that man rest in peace.

A big terrible tragedy that not only affects Rangers fans, but the organization, even Nolan Ryan and Josh Hamilton are terrified.

As for the kid, who knows where he'll go from here. He must be terrified too.