Devils in a deep hole

05 Jun 2012 | Mika Leino

Los Angeles Kings took already third win in Stanley Cup finals beating New Jersey Devils by 4-0 and are now only one win away from lifting the cup.

Third final was as tight as two previous games between Devils and Kings. First and second period Devils were controlling the game you could say even pretty clearly. They created also some quality chances, but their problem at the moment is very poor goal scoring and Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. On Monday night Devils had also six powerplays, once even 5 on 3, but they just couldn't score. And when Devils couldn't score Kings did. First two goals were most annoying ones for the Devils. They were pressuring in Kings end but then Kings got a counter attack and first one was scored by Alec Martinez from a scramble in front of the goal and the second one was scored by Anze Kopitar when Zach Parise left his man unmarked and Kopitar had an easy job shooting in a great pass from Dustin Brown. In the third period Jeff Carter and Justin Williams made the goal figures even a bit flattering for the Kings.

Kings game system seems to stand until to the very end. They defense with discipline and after all there is Jonathan Quick as a backbone. Once again it is shown that you can't win the cup without excellent goaltending. Quick had his third shutout of the playoffs, has 1.50 goals against average and 95.0 save percentage at the moment and is able to do several big saves in a game. I can't see any better candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy at the moment. But let's remember the series is not yet over.

Devils are in a hole at the moment. That hole is so deep that in the history only three teams have dug their way out of it and come from 3-0 deficit and won the series. Devils is a tough team and they won't give the Kings anything for free. They wouldn't love anything more than winning the game four now when everybody in Hollywood is already waiting for a party...