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The Time: 8:00 PM EDT
The Broadcast: TV - NBC SN, CBC, RDS; Radio - 660 AM WFAN
The Series: The New Jersey Devils (0) at the Los Angeles Kings (2)
The Last Game:
The last two games were vastly similar, yet distinct. The same result however: a 2-1 OT win by the LA Kings. The Devils put up a much better effort in game two, but they couldn't get the go ahead goal in the third, and got rocked by a beautiful individual effort by Jeff Carter.
The Game Specific Goal:
Shoot on Jonathan Quick. There is no denying that Quick is in the head of the New Jersey Devils. He has allowed two goals in about 7 periods of hockey. One goal game off his teammate while another was a deflection by Ryan Carter. In game one, the Devils fired 17 shots at Quick. They almost doubled their shot production in game two with 33 shots. They need to emulate their game two shot production to crack Quick.
For an opposition's perspective, please visit Jewels From The Crown. For a few more thoughts on today's game, please continue on after the jump.
The Goalies:
The story of the Stanley Cup Finals through two games has been the goaltending battle.
Martin Brodeur has a 1.69 GAA and a 1.30 SV%. His counterpart, Jonathan Quick boasts a 0.85 GAA and a 1.60 SV%. Two incredible goalies, one from America and one from Canada, are making this Finals a nail-biter.
Lines:
For the Devils, DeBoer isn't letting anyone know what he is going to do about the lineup. Tom Gulitti reported that there appeared to be no lineup changes, but things can change today. Perhaps Adam Larsson could be inserted for Peter Harrold. I could even see Petr Sykora given a chance. For who? I would take out Ilya Kovalchuk. I know that's not a popular opinion, but if Sykora is healthy and rested, I think he will be effective in place of an injured, slow Kovy.
As for the Kings' lineup, nothing has changed.
Different Coast, Different Result?:
The Devils and Kings traveled to Los Angeles yesterday and will be playing at the Staples Center. The Kings have been stellar on the road this post season, with 10 straight road wins. Hopefully the Devils can put the pressure on in LA and give the Kings a taste of their own medicine and take two games on the road. This series has had two one goal games in overtime. Perhaps the ice tilts differently on the West Coast?
The Bottom Line (Pessimism Version):
The Kings are looking great; Quick is stopping everything. Ilya Kovalchuk and company are beat up. The Devils are in a new situation being down two games. This season may come just short, and the Kings are the better team.
The Bottom Line (Optimist Version):
Believe. The Devils have been finding ways to win all playoffs long. DeBoer will readjust his line-up and light a fire under the star players. Zach Parise will show why he will be the captain of the Devils for years to come by his game three performance. The Devils will even the series and bring it back to the Rock with home ice advantage back under their belts.
Whichever school of thought you subscribe to, here's one last fact to chew on:
Last year, the Boston Bruins rallied down two games to none against the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup last year.
Crazier things have happened.