BoT Gameday: Stanley Cup Final – Game 2

Los Angeles has done it again. Just like in 1993, the Kings open up the Stanley Cup Final with a victory. While I doubt a repeat of Marty McSorley will happen in Game 2 tonight, you know New Jersey is wanting to come back and end LA’s road winning streak.

New Jersey started out slow and the Kings took advantage of it, peppering shot after shot on Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, until they got the opening goal by Colin Fraser. Devils capitalized by turning the pressure on Los Angeles until Anton Volchenkov’s shot went off of Slava Voynov to the tie the game. The goaltending of Brodeur and potential Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Quick stood on their head through the third and overtime. Until a defensive breakdown left almost San Jose Shark, Anze Kopitar (Sharks took Devin Setoguchi with their pick in the 2005 NHL Draft) undressed the legend that is Martin Brodeur for the victory in overtime.

Los Angeles continues to simply amaze me. Never has a low seed, let alone the #8 seed played so well with few kinks in the armor. If Quick continues to keep doing a phenomenal job in net, and the Kings take advantage of their offensive opportunities, there is a chance that the Kings will be given an opportunity to win the Cup on home ice next week.

For New Jersey, they played well, but their opponent took advantage of breakdowns. If they fix those, and Brodeur plays like the hall of famer that we all know he is, along with the Devils big three of Zach Parise, David Clarkson, and Travis (don’t call me Pat) Zajac can get their groove back, this series will return to Newark next Saturday.

Should be a good one from “The Rock” tonight, huge game, but Game 2s are never must win, however, to put a dent in Los Angeles, the Devils need to send a message that you won’t win the Stanley Cup that quickly.