That explains why I’m feeling a little disoriented right now.

I know it’s too early to get all gloaty, but what I take away from tonight’s game are two possible coming-of-age moments:

Brown dominating the scoresheet in a playoff game against a goalie of Luongo’s caliber (with 2 shorties, no less). I think Stoll should have gotten that last goal, but even still, I can’t remember the Captain having a game like this in the playoffs in ’10 or ’11. And Kopi’s assist on Brown’s first goal was exactly the kind of brilliant play you need from your top center in a playoff game, enforcing your will on the defense.

Also, Lewis’ goal. It’s not enough to say that was a hard-working goal. That was about wanting to rip out your opponent’s heart and eat it while he watches helplessly. That’s killer instinct, which the Kings did not have in the playoffs the last 2 seasons. Without it, Vancouver makes it a 3-2 game, and the last couple of minutes feel a lot different.

Based on these last couple of games, they don’t look like a young team anymore. They look like they’re just about ready.

Once prior actually (in a best of 7) 1968. Kings vs. Minnesota. The Kings won the first two at home. Minnesota wound up winning the series 4-3.  They’ve never been up 2-0 on the road.