So the Los Angeles Kings beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in OT in Game 2. Same story as Game 1, right? If you ask Twitter, the answer is probably “Yes and no.” Let’s take a look at what the hockey world said about Game 2.
Doughty’s goal
The first period was a pretty solid one overall for the Devils, but the hockey world will remember it most for Drew Doughty’s dazzling 1-0 goal. Adam Gretz felt like Doughty “looked unstoppable” from the second he touched the puck on that play. Stephen Whyno relays the comparisons Doughty drew to Bobby Orr, Scott Niedermayer, Ray Bourque and even Pavel Bure. Lyle Richardson doesn’t just capture how impressive the tally was, though, however; he considers context from a skin-tight 2012 playoffs in his review of the play.
“That’s right, a defenseman beat three defenders and sniped a beautiful goal ... in the playoffs!”
Yup, goals like that have been hard to come by.
Brodeur’s brilliance
Martin Brodeur didn’t get his first win in the series just yet, but he had some great moments. Brian Compton argued that he kept the Devils in the game while I ventured in the chat that “vintage Brodeur” might be the kind of term that could force one-too-many-shots on a person in a drinking game.
Dave Lozo even dropped an “Anchorman” reference in there.
“If the Devils were Ron Burgundy and the Kings were Veronica Corningstone, this is the part where Ron says, ‘She’s better than me.’”
“So called fourth line”
I have to say I’ve been reluctant to buy-in to all the talk about the Devils’ fourth line, yet it’s getting harder to deny it with each passing game. That ragtag group created New Jersey’s only goal in Game 2 and its only “clean” one in the series so far. Compton points out that Ryan Carter has scored five goals this season, making him a successful Florida Panthers cast-off much like Michael Grabner.
Carter comes through
While Puck Daddy’s Harrison Mooney points out the fact that most journalists probably didn’t have Jeff Carter written in as the winner in their recaps, others delighted in beating up on Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren for trading Carter and Mike Richards, including Stephen Burtch.
Devils blogger Kevin Sellathamby probably captures it in the most amusing way, though.
“I hate Scott Howson,” Sellathamby wrote.
Celebrity cameo
While Tommy Lasorda congratulated the Kings in Game 1, famous former race car driver Mario Andretti (pictured amusingly with his grandson) did the honors for Game 2.
“Nice win Jeff Carter and LA Kings!”
Who’s next? I’m rooting for A.C. Green, personally.