Stanley Cup Final 2012: What Devils Must Do to Avoid Losing Crucial Game 2

The New Jersey Devils lost Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in heartbreaking fashion. They will be a lot more upset if they let Game 2 slip away and subsequently give full control of the series to the Los Angeles Kings.

In order to win this critical matchup, here is what the Devils must do.

Capitalize on Rebounds

Zach Parise and Mark Fayne both missed wide-open shots off rebounds and did not make Kings goalie Jonathan Quick pay. It ended up being the difference maker in a game that went to overtime and eventually was won on an incredible breakaway.

If the Devils are only going to generate 17 shots on the net against a netminder averaging 1.49 goals against in the playoffs and holding a .946 save percentage, they can’t afford to miss another easy tap-in off a ricochet.

Give Martin Brodeur a Break

Seriously, the guy needs to stop being the only thing between the puck and the back of the net.

The Devils have been giving up plenty of breakaways this postseason and Brodeur has done about as fantastic as a job as any goaltender could possibly be expected to do.

By stacking the pads and finding a way to deflect the puck, Marty stopped what should have been an easy goal for Drew Doughty in the third period with the game tied at 1-1 Wednesday.

He’s been quite remarkable through the 2012 postseason, but the 40-year-old Brodeur may not have that much magic left in him.

Get More Shots on Quick

The Kings goalie is having a career-defining playoff run, but he’s still vulnerable. New Jersey will not have a chance to expose his weaknesses unless they actually start flinging pucks in his direction.

With his save percentage so high, the Devils need to play the odds and shoot at every available opportunity.