(8-W) Los Angeles at (6-E) New Jersey, 8 p.m. (NBC)

• 2011-12 scoring leaders vs opponent (2GP): LA - Simon Gagne (IR; 1G), Justin Williams & Anze Kopitar (1A each). NJ - Patrik Elias (2G/1A), Petr Sykora (3A), Dainius Zubrus (2G). Goaltenders: LA - Jonathan Quick 0-0-1, Jonathan Bernier 0-1. NJ - Johan Hedberg (2-0, 1 SO; yet to allow a goal to Kings in current season), Martin Brodeur (N/D in 1 appearance; removed following early injury).

NYRangers at New Jersey, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

• Got home in time to patch this chat together with a bare minimum of thought (i.e. "summer"). Everything you need to know is right here from a slightly Rangers-centric view but lays out the evening's storyline well. My own Monopoly money is on the home club in a 4-2 non-overtime victory. You're welcome, Rags.

Didn't we just do this?

• QMJHL: The Sea Dogs faced off tonight against rival Shawinigan in the 2012 Memorial Cup Semi-final. The ‘Dogs won the final round robin game 4-1 on Wednesday, with Saint John captain Jonathan Huberdeau picking up 2 goals and an assist on 7 shots. Fellow Florida prospect Jonathan Racine and the host Cataractes are not to be taken lightly, as they defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 6-1 in a series tiebreaker. Huberdeau leads the tournament with 4 goals, is second in scoring with 6 points and paces his team with 10 penalty minutes. Racine is scoreless in four games with 12 PIMs. Puck drop was 7 p.m. EST (no live TV, radio link here) and will be replayed on NHL Network Saturday at 3 pm EST. (via Alex Calloway)

(6) New Jersey at (1) NY Rangers, 8 p.m. (NBCSN):

Of note...

A few words from Ed Jovanovski during the first Florida Panthers Big Red BBQ of the 2012 offseason at BankAtlantic Center, May 22 (vid courtesy of the club).

(8) Los Angeles at (3) Phoenix, 9 p.m. (NBCSN):

• LA's Dwight King (above, reverting to an alternate but equally effective secondary personality) leads all players with 4 goals (2 of which were GWs) on the series; his team has yet to lose on the road in 2012 playoff action, despite a grisly 8.6% success rate on the man advantage. Yotes netminder Mike Smith continues to hold a reasonable 2.26/.940 combination; has allowed 2 goals and completed a 36-save shutout in the past 2 games, going 1-1. At the other end, Jonathan Quick hit a minor bump in the road Sunday in a 2-0 loss (19 saves), but otherwise boasts sparkling individual stats in the series at 1.26/.945. Kings (3-1) can clinch the 2012 Western Conference championship with a victory this evening.

(3) Phoenix at (8) Los Angeles, 3 p.m. (NBC): With only a single loss since the regular season ended, the Kings have won eight straight games; a ninth today will carry them to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since - all together, now - 1993. The NHL record for consecutive playoff victories in a single postseason currently stands at 11 (CHI & PIT, '92; MON, '93).

(1) NY Rangers at (6) New Jersey, 1 p.m. (NBC). With series tied at 1 apiece, action heads to Newark. Leading scorers: Chris Kreider, Dan Girardi, Artem Anisimov - 3 points (NYR); Bryce Salvador - 2 points (NJ). Goaltenders - Martin Brodeur: 2.02/.923; Henrik Lundqvist: 1.51/.938. Series is tied at 1-1.

(3) Phoenix at (8) Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN): Western Conference Final action shifts to Hollywood as the Kings seek to build on a 2-0 series lead, headlined by forwards Dwight King and Jeff Carter (3 goals each). Avon Old Farms (yeeeeah!) alum Jonathan Quick continues his postseason MVP push with a 10-1 record (1.45/.951). Coyotes have been outscored 8-2, including a shutout loss on Tuesday. After flying through the opening rounds, G Mike Smith (8-5 overall) has come up dry against L.A., though his .920 save percentage remains impressive considering the abundance of shots (87 in two games) his defense has allowed.