The NHL technically won't get the dream matchup of New York-Los Angeles in the Stanley Cup Final, but New Jersey is still close enough. OK, obviously there are clear differences between the two states -- refer to "The Sopranos" if you need a reminder -- but if the Giants and Jets can make their home in Jersey, it's good enough for us to declare the upcoming Devils-Kings series to be the 10th NY-LA championship clash. Here are the previous nine:

LA-NY: History Of Championship Showdowns Slideshow

 

1963 World Series

Dodgers 4, Yankees 0. MVP: Sandy Koufax. Key stat: Koufax had two complete games and 23 strikeouts. Fun fact: This was the first time the Yankees were swept in a World Series.

 

1977 World Series

Yankees 4, Dodgers 2. MVP: Reggie Jackson. Key stat: Jackson hit three home runs on consecutive pitches in Game 6 to clinch the series. Fun fact: This was the first title under George Steinbrenner's ownership, and the only World Series championship that Billy Martin won as a manager.

 

1978 World Series

Yankees 4, Dodgers 2. MVP: Bucky Dent. Key stat: Brian Doyle, playing second base in place of the injured Willie Randolph, hit .438 for the Yankees. Fun fact: Yankees reliever Sparky Lyle wrote a book about this season titled "The Bronx Zoo."

 

1981 World Series

Dodgers 4, Yankees 2. MVP: Pedro Guerrero, Steve Yeager, Ron Cey. Key stat: Yankees reliever George Frazier took the loss in three games, including the series finale. Fun fact: Steinbrenner broke his hand during the series. He claimed he punched out two Dodger fans in a hotel elevator.

 

1970 NBA Finals

Knicks 4, Lakers 3. MVP: Willis Reed. Key stat: Although Reed's inspiring return from injury in Game 7 is one of sports' greatest legends, Walt Frazier's performance that night was a classic: 36 points, 19 assists and five steals. Fun fact: Howard Cosell, working the postgame interviews for ABC, tells Reed: "You offer the best that the human spirit can offer."

 

1972 NBA Finals

Lakers 4, Knicks 1. MVP: Wilt Chamberlain. Key stat: During the regular season, the Lakers won a record 69 games. This included a 33-game winning streak Fun fact: Jerry West finally won the NBA title after losing in the finals seven times.

 

1973 NBA Finals

Knicks 4, Lakers 1. MVP: Willis Reed. Key stat: Future U.S. Senator Bill Bradley was the Knicks' leading scorer in the series with an 18.6 average. Fun fact: Each team had a bench player who became a multiple NBA champion as a coach -- Phil Jackson on the Knicks and Pat Riley on the Lakers.

 

2002 NBA Finals

Lakers 4, Nets 0. MVP: Shaquille O'Neal. Key stat: Derek Fisher led the Lakers with 8-of-12 three-point shooting in the series. Fun Fact: This was the last NBA title that Shaq and Kobe Bryant won together.

 

2003 Stanley Cup Final

Devils 4, Mighty Ducks 3. MVP: Jean-Sebastien Giguere. It was the first time since 1987 with Ron Hextall that the Conn Smythe Trophy went to a member of the runner-up. Key stat: Martin Brodeur recorded three shutouts in the series, including Game 7. Fun fact: It was a battle of brothers with Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer and Anaheim center Rob Niedermayer.

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