Kings can learn from the Blackhawks' past

After a mid-season coaching change, being named the worst offensive team in the league, and suffering from a slump of not being able to score over two goals in a game, the Kings have discovered their team chemistry that was almost non-existant throughout the regular season and will now face either the Rangers or Devils in the Stanley Cup finals.

The Kings have an 12-2 overall postseason record and are 8-0 on the road, making them look close to unstoppable as they fight for their first Cup. They haven't been to the finals since 1993 when they fell to the Canadians 4-1.

But despite all their momentum and power on the ice, the odds aren't in their favor. In fact, other than the Edmonton Oilers back in the late 80s, no other team with a 12-2 record has gone on to win the Cup, including the Blackhawks.

Back in 1992, Chicago finished in second place in the Norris Division with a 36-29-15 record, earning 87 points in 80 games during the regular season.

While competing in the playoffs, they defeated the Blues in six games and swept both the Red Wings and Oilers, also earning themselves a 12-2 record. Even though they looked promising and had strong momentum, they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals.

The same statistics in the first three rounds of the playoffs also led to defeat for the 1995 Red Wings, 2003 Ducks, and 2008 Penguins. The only team to defy those surprising odds were the Oilers in 1987 and 1988.

Now the Kings are playing the waiting game to find out if they'll be facing New York or New Jersey. The Devils currently lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-2, and when looking at the statistics above, they could be the more difficult opponent for Los Angeles. Both the 1995 Wings and 2003 Ducks lost to New Jersey when entering the finals with a 12-2 record, so for Western Conference fans who fear history repeating itself, it would make the most sense to cheer for the Rangers at this point.