Kings win again in overtime to take 2-0 lead in Stanley Cup Final

NEWARK, N.J. - Jeff Carter scored 13 minutes 42 seconds into overtime Saturday to give the Kings a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final Saturday in the Prudential Center.

Carter picked up the puck to the side of the net, circled in front and beat goaltender Martin Brodeur stick side. It gave the Kings their 10 consecutive playoff victory, an NHL record.

The Devils’ Ryan Carter finally solved Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. Carter’s goal three minutes into the third period tied the score, 1-1, and allowed the Devils to get into overtime.

It was the first goal Quick had given up in the third period or overtime since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against Phoenix, a NHL-record streak of 184 minutes 19 seconds.

The only goal Quick gave up in a 2-1 victory in the series opener came when Anton Volchenkov had a shot go off Kings defenseman Slava Voynov and into the net.

Quick stopped 20 shots through two periods. But Marek Zidlicky’s shot from the blue line was redirected by Carter in the high slot. The puck skipped twice on the ice and past Quick.

Both teams had opportunities to score throughout the third period. Ilya Kovalchuk’s point-blank one-timer went off Quick’s shoulder and then deflected off the crossbar with 10 seconds left.

It set up the second overtime in as many games in the series.

Shots were at a premium in Game 1. They came wholesale Saturday. The Devils, who had only 17 shots in the series opener on Wednesday, had 17 with four minutes left in the second period in Game Two.

Quick and Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur matched quality saves throughout the three periods Saturday.

New Jersey had 30 shots and the Kings 21 entering overtime.

The Devils talked for two days about putting more pressure on Quick. The only goal he allowed in Game 1 came when Anton Volchenkov had a shot go off Kings defenseman Slava Voynov and into the net.

The Devils turned up the heat from the start Saturday. It just didn’t matter, as the Kings led, 1-0 after the first period.

While the Devils put traffic in front of Quick, they put none in front of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.

Doughty picked up the puck at center ice and skated past two New Jersey players. He then shot through defenseman Bryce Salvador and past Brodeur for a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the game.

The Devils did come out with greater purpose in the first period than they did in Game 1, when they had one shot in the first 13 minutes Wednesday. David Clarkson tipped the puck at the net, requiring Quick to make a bang-bang save less than two minutes into the game. Stephen Gionta had another quality chance moments later.

Brodeur nearly matched Quick save for save. He denied Justin Williams on a two-on-one rush early in the second period. Later in the period, he gloved a quality shot by Colin Fraser and smothered a one-timer by Mike Richards.

The Kings continued to struggle on the power play, coming up empty on their only opportunity in the second period. They have only two goals in 25 power plays during the playoffs.

That has been balanced by quality play killing penalties. The Devils had three power plays through two periods. The Kings have been shorthanded 63 times in the playoffs and have given up only five goals.