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The Devils vs. Kings line for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals had Los Angeles at -160. You can bet the Stanley Cup Finals at Sportsbook here where qualified new customers can receive up to $250 in FREE CASH.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Los Angeles -160 & 4.5 flat
After winning the first two games in overtime, the Kings look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals when the series shifts to Los Angeles on Monday night.
Jeff Carter’s overtime goal on Saturday night put the Kings within two games of securing their first championship in franchise history. Los Angeles is now an incredible 14-2 in the 2012 playoffs, including 10-0 on the road. And now they return home where they are 25-20 on the season, and allowing a paltry 1.9 goals per game. However, the Devils know they can hang with this red-hot L.A. club, as they are 30-21 on the road this season, including 4-1 in their past five road playoff games. New Jersey played much better in Game 2, peppering Jonathan Quick with nearly twice as many shots (33) as he faced in Game 1 (17). For a series that has been decided by two overtime games, this money line is way too hefty in favor of the Kings.
Although the score has been 2-1 in both games, Saturday’s Game 2 was much more offensive-minded, as the teams combined for 65 shots, 23 more than they managed in Game 1. Ten different Devils put multiple shots on net, led by Patrik Elias and Zach Parise who had four shots on goal apiece. C Ryan Carter had the lone goal 2:59 into the third period, which was his third tally in the past four contests. For New Jersey to get back in this series, the power-play unit needs to step up. The Devils were 0-for-4 with the man-advantage on Saturday and are just 2-for-22 in the past six games. LW Ilya Kovalchuk leads the NHL with 18 playoff points (7 G, 11 A), but he has been held without a point in the Stanley Cup Finals, registering just three shots on goal. Parise is second on the team with 14 playoff points (7 G, 7 A), but he has zero points and a minus-4 rating in his past three contests. C Travis Zajac (7 G, 5 A) has zero points, four shots and a minus-3 rating in his past three games. New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur has had a strong series so far with 53 saves on 57 shots (.930 SV Pct). His 30 saves on Saturday earned him the game’s Third Star Award.
The Kings have trailed just twice in their past 10 playoff games, thanks to the heroics of goalie Jonathan Quick. He turned away 32 of the 33 shots he faced in Game 2, which increased his playoff save percentage to a robust .947, which is now .960 in the Stanley Cup Finals. Quick is 14-2 with a 1.44 GAA in the 2012 postseason, having not allowed more than three goals in any playoff game, and giving up one goal or fewer eight times. The Kings offense has been limited to four goals this series, and it has not been stellar at home in these playoffs either with just 11 goals in six games. Part of that is a non-existent power-play unit that has converted just 6-of-77 chances (7.8%) throughout the 2012 playoffs. Los Angeles is getting contributions from all of its lines in this postseason, but the top-three has been especially fantastic. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar each have seven goals and nine assists, while linemate Justin Williams has a team-best 10 assists. Star defenseman Drew Doughty, who scored the first goal in Game 2, has been tremendous in the playoffs with 12 points (3 G, 9 A) and a +12 rating, logging a hefty 32:19 in Game 2. This increases his average ice time to 26:26 in the playoffs.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
