NEWARK, NJ – Game two of the Stanley Cup Finals is tonight in Newark at the Prudential Center, The Rock. And the New Jersey Devils are looking to work a little magic as they have done in the last two series, come back from a 1-0 series deficit.
The Los Angeles Kings took game with a thrilling breakaway goal from Anze Kopitar with just over eight minutes gone in the extra session.
Darryl Sutter expects both clubs to play better Saturday night after a sluggish start for both clubs in game one.
“Just because it’s playoffs, everybody doesn’t always play their best game, right? The first series we played against Vancouver, the game we lost against them was clearly the best game we played. They’re people. They’re not machines. All of them don’t always play their best game in terms of what they can bring, so… It will be the same tomorrow. We want everybody to bring their best,” Sutter said. “But, you know what, you get a bad bounce, bad call, bad change, That affects the game. That’s how close the teams are. Instead of a whole goal, it’s like one more chance on half a goal, so… I expect both teams will play hard tomorrow night. You can bet on that.”
For one thing, Sutter expects game two to be not much different from the opener in physical play.
“ As the game went on last game, they certainly did. So, you know what, that’s not going to be a surprise. That’s both teams’ personality,” Sutter said. “You’re trying to do it between the whistles, without doing anything that becomes five on four or four on four. They have a big, strong, fast group up front. So that’s what they’re going to try to do. That’s what we’re going to try and do.”
The Kings are also in a position to tie an NHL record for consecutive road wins.
But Sutter is not keen on focusing on that number and not making pregame speeches based on the record.
“ Well, I’m a big speaker. It’s going to really affect on how I do it on the road or at home. Hey, you’re chasing your tail if you think it’s different if you’re at home or on the road. Difference in their building, they get last change. That’s the way it is,” Sutter said.
“That’s the deal when you have home ice, right? It’s like talking about playing against Kovalchuk. Well, that’s the advantage they have. If they want to play him an extra two or three minutes, that’s four or five shifts. That’s four or five shifts you don’t get the guy you want against him. It’s simple, you can’t chase it.”
Game two will feature the Devils looking to regain control of their home ice and ruin the Kings record of success away from the Staples Center this post season.
For the Kings, it is doing the same things as always only a little better.
“ Well, it is the next game and you should focus on that because the score was 2-1 and it could have been 2-1 for them. I think both teams have said they had some sluggish players. So I think both teams are probably thinking the very same way. I don’t think there’s much of a gap or difference,” Sutter said of the approach to game two tonight.
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