Jeff Carter OT goal gives Kings 2-0 series lead

Jeff Carter OT goal gives Kings 2-0 series lead

June 3, 2012

NEWARK (USA TODAY) — Evidence shows that the Los Angeles Kings are moving beyond the category of hot team and into the realm of unstoppable juggernaut.

Jeff Carter scored at 13:42 of overtime to give the Kings a 2-1 win and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. Teams that have won the first two games of the Final have won the Cup 93.2% of the time.

"Tonight was heavy lifting," said Kings coach Darryl Sutter. "It was along the boards. Their defense are
coming down. Quite honest, for probably a good part of two periods, they were controlling that part of the boards. We'll have our work cut out going home."

It was the NHL-record 10th consecutive road playoff win for the Kings, who head back to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Wednesday.

The Devils came at the Kings in full gallop, outshooting them 33-22, but it wasn't enough against a team that improved to 14-2 in the postseason. The Kings are trying to win their first NHL championship in the 45-year team history.

Carter carried the puck around the net and out the other side and then fired as he reached the slot area.

"We had five guys collapsed around the net," said Devils coach Peter DeBoer. "They found a way to get a puck through."

Carter wasn't even sure that Devils goalie Martin Brodeur saw the shot because Dustin Penner's big body was parked in front.

"I think it is, by far, the biggest goal I've scored," said Carter, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup Final two years ago.

Brodeur gave the Devils a chance to win with some big stops early in overtime, including a memorable glove save against Mike Richards.

"Marty made some highlight saves tonight against good shooters," Sutter said. "So good to see (Carter) score."

Doughty had given the Kings a 1-0 lead at 7.59 with a goal that was probably on Youtube.com five minutes after it occurred.

"Highlight-reel play," Sutter said. "A coast-to-coast thing. Win or lose, that's a great play."

Doughty said he remembered watching former Devils great Scott Niedermayer making memorable dashes for a goal and always wanted to emulate him. He said he saw open ice and took off. He had to make a shake-and-bake move to get around Ryan Carter as he entered the zone.

"Decided to skate with the puck," Doughty said. "I don't know who the D man was, but I tried to use him as a screen. Marty has that quick glove so I went blocker side. I didn't even know it went in actually, but luckily, it did."

This was the first time in 61 years that the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final were decided in overtime. In 1951, all five games of the Final between the champion Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens went to overtime.

It was also the 25th overtime of this playoff season, the third-highest total in league history.

Ryan Carter atoned for his defensive lapse by scoring at 2:59 of the third period, deflecting Marek Zidlicky's shot from the point to tie the game 1-1.

The Devils, playing a more energetic game, had 20 shots over the first two periods, three more than they posted in all 68 minutes of Game 1.

From freep.com