3 STARS
1. Anze Kopitar
The Kings center scored his third goal in L.A.’s last four playoff games when he deked a defenseless Martin Brodeur to score on a breakaway 8:13 into OT for the game-winner.
2. Martin Brodeur
The Devils 40-year-old goaltender, playing in his fifth Stanley Cup final, showed he was equal to the task in the opener. He stopped 23 shots of 25 shots and made of pair of brilliant saves just 10 seconds apart.
3. Mike Richards
The ex-Flyer, acquired in last offseason, could have won the game twice in the third period and his set-up for Drew Doughty was first class.
KEY MOMENT
Marek Zidlicky pinches and loses, Bryce Salvador can’t cover, and Anze Kopitar buries the resulting overtime breakaway.
TO QUOTE …
“You could tell we were nervous. It’s not that easy to just go out and perform. You don’t know what the atmosphere is going to be like. It’s five times [to the finals] for me and the first time for some guys. You’re going to have butterflies. That’s what hockey is all about. ” — Devils goalie Martin Brodeur
FINALS SCHEDULE
Game 1:
Kings 2, Devils 1
Kings lead series, 1-0
Saturday:
at Devils, 8:00, NBC
Monday:
at Kings, 8:00, NBCSN
Wednesday:
at Kings, 8:00, NBCSN
x-Sat., June 9:
at Devils, 8:00, NBC
x-Mon., June 11:
at Kings, 8:00, NBC
x-Wed., June 13:
at Devils, 8:00, NBC
x-if necessary