Stanely Cup Finals Game 2: Devils & Fans Look to Take Back Home Ice Advantage!

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 4
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils
8:00 P.M. ET
TV: NBC
Radio: Bloomberg 1130 AM

Kings lead series 1-0.

New Jersey didn’t come out and play the way they wanted on Wednesday night. Despite being outplayed and having trouble maintaining a forecheck, the Devils still had a chance to squeak out a win. In Game 1 the Devils missed some open net opportunities. Look for the Devils to capitalize tonight on any opportunities they get, by taking more shots on net. Keep your eye out, as well,  for the adjustment on the forecheck. The Kings quickly transitioned the puck out of their zone by using the middle of the ice.

The big story, that all main stream media has been building up, will hopefully be laid to rest. The Kings are 10-0 on the road this post season. When a stat or streak has been mentioned endlessly, it is just meant to be broken.

I can accept Wednesday’s loss and chalk it up to King’s fresh legs and maybe the Devils coming off of a very emotional Eastern Conference final. However, tonight’s game will help re-establish the Devils game. It is an important one in this series. The Devils would like to go into LA with the series tied rather than being down 2-0. There were still some good things that happened in game 1 for the Devils. Martin Brodeur and the D was sharp and was able to keep the game close. New Jersey was able to keep the Kings offense to 24 shots. The Devils also showed that their forecheck could work and in the third period and OT had some sustained pressure. They need to build off of that and come out in the initial minutes on fire. Marty said it himself, Game 1 was definitely one of those games where both teams were trying to feel the other one out.

Overall this playoff season, the Devils have bounced back after a losing game. Marty has not lost in back – back games yet. Let’s hope that stays the case as the Devils go into game 2 looking to even the series up 1-1.

A few things to consider for tonight

Kovalchuk wasn’t happy about his performance in Game 1. I’m looking forward to him coming out tonight and having a big game.

Our defense has helped on the score sheet and I believe some more points from them will help jumpstart our offense.

Steve Bernier, Stephen Gionta and Ryan Carter have scored big goals this entire playoffs. I see tonight as no different. The Kings have talented players on offense and defense. I believe that our 4th line match-up will help make a difference and force LA to reconsider their line combinations and defensive pairings.

For the Fans

Each round of the playoffs the players need to elevate their game. I believe that the Devils Army has responded the same way. Each round the building has been electrifying and loud. Against the Rangers, our cheers and chants were deafening. The players have used that energy on the ice and has helped bring home ice advantage to New Jersey’s team. Tonight is our chance to reclaim that advantage. It is the Stanley Cup Finals, with a national audience, tonight let’s show the nation  how loud and how proud we are our team!

Devils projected lineup:

Parise – Zajac – Zubrus

Elias –  Henrique – Kovalchuk

Ponikarovsky – Josefson – Clarkson

Carter – Gionta – Bernier

Greene – Fayne

Salvador – Zidlicky

Volchenkov – Harrold

Brodeur

Hedberg

Kings projected lineup:

Brown – Kopitar – Williams

Penner – Richards – Carter

King – Stoll – Lewis

Richardson – Fraser – Nolan

Scuderi – Doughty

Mitchell – Voynov

Martinez – Greene

Quick

Bernier