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Sutter on cusp of joining exclusive list of midseason replacements that win Cup

Darryl Sutter

Los Angeles Kings’ coach Darryl Sutter, center, looks on from the bench as Dustin Penner, from left, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams are seated in front during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

It’s not unusual for a team to attempt a midseason course correction by firing their coach and hiring a replacement. However, it’s very rare for the new guy to lead his team to a Stanley Cup in the same season.

Unless the Devils are able to pull off a historic comeback, Kings coach Darryl Sutter will join the exclusive club of coaches that have accomplished that impressive feat. The list includes Dan Bylsma, who led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup after replacing Michel Therrien in the second half of the season, and Larry Robinson, who won the Cup with the Devils in 2000 despite getting the job with just eight games remaining in the regular season.

Sutter joined the Kings in December and the team posted a 25-13-11 regular season record under him. He helped them squeeze into the playoffs and Los Angeles has realized its potential in the postseason. Given how monumental the Kings’ run has been, it seems only appropriate that their coach is doing what only a select few have done before.