Remember last spring, when Canadians across the country were sporting Canucks jerseys and leaving bar patios to venture indoors to watch Vancouver battle the Boston Bruins to seven games in the Stanley Cup final? It seems like a lifetime ago.

And yet, here we are again. But this time, the showdown for hockey's ultimate prize features two unlikely foes. Seriously, who would have predicted a Stanley Cup matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils?

Without a Canadian team in the dance and summer-like weather finally here, it'll be tough to hold our collective attention. Heck, there are still hockey fans here who feel slighted by the Kings acquiring Wayne Gretzky lo those many moons ago and Maple Leafs fans who still cringe as they recall a disappointing conference final against L.A. back in '93.

So why leave the patio or the campfire to watch the Stanley Cup final this time around? Here are some plot lines to consider. After all, this year's Stanley Cup does seem destined for some kind of Hollywood ending.

Underdog

Upstart Kings goalie Jonathan Quick may have been the NHL's best netminder this year, but he's still going up against Devils veteran Martin Brodeur. Sure Quick posted a NHL best 1.87 goals-against average and .936 save percentage with 12 shutouts in 83 regular-season and playoff games. But he's facing, arguably, the best playoff goalie of all-time in Brodeur.

The Last Hurrah

Speaking of Brodeur … At age 40, he might have lost some quickness but he does have three championships under his belt, not to mention more wins and shutouts than any other goalie. This cagey vet knows what it takes to win and is probably looking at his last real kick at the can. If Brodeur were to win a fourth cup, it would tie him with another Quebec legend, Patrick Roy.

Cursed

Do you believe in curses? Marty McSorley doesn't … really. When the Kings took on the Montreal Canadiens in the team's only other trip to the final back in '93, McSorley was sent to the penalty box in Game 2 after Habs coach Jacques Demers requested a measurement of the curve of his stick blade. Montreal had lost Game 1 and was down 2-1 in the second game until scoring on the power play with McSorley in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. Montreal won Game 2 in OT and went on to win three straight to claim the Stanley Cup.

Firepower

After low-scoring snoozefests courtesy the uber-defensive Rangers, Capitals, Blues, Coyotes and Predators, could we actual see some high-scoring playoff action? The Kings and Devils are actually the highest-scoring teams of the playoffs, averaging nearly three goals-per-game apiece and more than 30 shots. L.A.'s attack is led by Dustin Brown, Anze Kopita, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter while Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac have powered the Devils.

Heroes

Claude Giroux and Danny Briere might have been the talk of earlier rounds, but now the stage is set for new playoff heroes to emerge. Will Penner continue to play like he did when he helped the Ducks to a cup back in 2006-07? Will Kovalchuk continue to be a beast for the Devils? Will a goalie claim this year's Conn Smythe Trophy? Stay tuned ...

And if those story lines aren't enough to seduce you, there's always the celeb factor with the Kings. So far at Staples Center we've seen Alice Cooper, James Gandolfini, Zac Efron, Rainn Wilson, Matthew Perry, Colin Hanks, David Beckham, Channing Tatum, Cuba Gooding Jr., Shane West, Rachel McAdams, Alyssa Milano, Wil Wheaton, Kurt Russell, Kevin Conolly, Jon Hamm, Cory Monteith and even Kobe Bryant ... heck, he's got nothing better to do, does he?

The Devils host Game 1 Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on CBC