The Los Angeles Kings prevailed 2-1 in overtime against the New Jersey Devils, continuing their dominance on the road in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The game one victory was clinched by a one on one goal by Anze Kopitar in the first overtime period, sending home the Devils fans in agony. The Kings extend their road winning streak to 9 games in the playoffs.
Anze Kopitar's seventh playoff goal came in a breakaway, one on one situation. Justin Williams attracted two Devil defenders, and was able to find a trailing Kopitar all alone. Kopitar controlled the puck and skated past Martin Brodeur to flip it in from four yards away.
This was the sixth Stanley Cup game in Kings franchise history, and the fourth to go to overtime. It was the first overtime Stanley Cup game ever won by the Kings.
The opening goal for the Kings came on a play against the glass. Jordan Nolan was responsible for the boards check behind the net, then got the loose puck to Colin Fraser. Fraser's low wrist shot just slid past Brodeur.
The Devils were able to draw even late in the second period, when Anton Volchenkov shot from 55 feet out. The puck was saved by Quick, but the rebound bounced high in the air. The puck hit a Kings defender, and Patrik Elias, before sneaking in behind Quick.
That's how things finished in regular time, though there was a scare in the third period. An apparent New Jersey goal was declared no good on the ice, and replay confirmed that it was pushed in by the hand of Zach Parise.
The Kings are now 13-2 in the playoffs, to go with their 9-0 road record. Game two is set for Saturday at 5:00 pm PDT on NBC.
For more recap of this one, check out Jewels From the Crown.