LOS ANGELES -- The Devils were a loss from getting swept Wednesday night, a deep trouble by any standard, but they didn’t see the situation as grounds for panic. Rather than make any drastic changes, they decided to stick what the style that carried them into the Stanley Cup final in the first place.
Adam Henrique scored the winner in the third period of a tight game to lead the Devils to a 3-1 victory over the Kings to avoid getting swept. Los Angeles still has a 3-1 series lead with the best-of-seven matchup shifting back to New Jersey. The Kings have a 10-0 record on the road and already clinched two of the first three series away from Staples Center.
"We feel we’ve been playing really well with zero result," Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said. "It’s hard, but you don’t change for the sake of change. We wanted to keep playing the same. We’re happy to live another day. [But] we know the road ahead is going to be difficult."
Although the Devils didn't make major alterations -- veterans Henrik Tallinder and Petr Sykora were inserted into the lineup -- certain things did change. They scored the first goal for the first time in this series, marking their first lead. They also had goals from Henrique, Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk after all three had been silent in the first three games.
“”We wanted them to jump on a plane to New Jersey,’’ Brodeur said. “”We had to go back anyway, so we might as well have a game. I’m sure they’re not happy to make that trip. Hopefully, we’ll make it miserable for them again."
--- Bucky Gleason
tagged
Stanley Cup
