The Los Angeles Kings slayed the Presidents Cup winner in the first round. They’re pounding the St. Louis Blues in the second round with a tough physical style that many thought the Blues would use against them.
There’s no doubt the Kings are for real, and oddsmakers are taking notice.

Bovada’s Stanley Cup Futures are favoring the Kings to win the Cup at 3/1. Bovada lists the Philadelphia Flyers with second-best odds at 7/2 followed by the New York Rangers at 5/1.

Los Angeles crushed the Blues, who were favored by 1 1/2 goals on Bovada, in Game Two last night 5-2 and have now won six of seven playoff games against heavily favored opponents. The Kings’ only loss came when leading Vancouver 3-0 when the Canucks were in desperation mode at home. After barely squeaking into the eighth-seed, they’ve looked just as good at home as on the road. That’s important with so many teams faltering on home ice.

Just last night, Los Angeles humiliated Brian Elliot in his own arena, scoring four goals in the first period. It outshot St. Louis 16-5 in that opening frame.

The NHL Playoffs have been as much parody as anything, and many casinos have had trouble pegging a favorite for the championship. Another problem is so much money being spread around to so many different teams.

But on the ice, no team looks more impressive than Los Angeles right now thanks to a spectacular postseason by goaltender Jonathan Quick. The Kings won the season series against the Blues 3-1 and seem to be a lock at this point to at least reach the conference final.

There, they would likely face the Phoenix Coyotes, who have had a really nice postseason so far, beating the Chicago Blackhawks and jumping 2-0 on Nashville.

But goaltender Mike Smith has blown three leads already this postseason, something Quick has yet to do.

It’s taken me a while to finally come around on the Kings, but that’s where my money’s going for today.