Game 2 stanley cup playoffs 2012 highlights

While Kovalchuk has not yet registered a point in the Stanley Cup Final, he was a potent weapon in the previous series, especially against the Rangers, who did not have an answer to his electrifying skills. The Devils will need Kovalchuk to start putting points on the board if they want to come back in this series. If they do, Kovalchuk will fly to the top of the Conn Smythe conversation.

However, his overall playoffs have been very good, and if he can start scoring again in the Cup Final, he will be a very strong contender for the Conn Smythe. Kovalchuk did hit the crossbar at the end of regulation in Game 2, which would have given the Devils the victory.

If Kovalchuk can get a shot like that to go in, it will go a long way towards helping the Devils get back into this series. Kovalchuk is one of the elite talents in the NHL. After playing in obscurity for many years in Atlanta, this postseason has given him a chance to show off his skills for a national audience. He hasn't disappointed. Being held scoreless in the Cup Final hurts his Conn Smythe chances, but if he can get going, he will be right in the conversation to win it.

Jeff Carter was criticized highly after not delivering in Philadelphia. A midseason trade to Los Angeles rejuvenated him, and his playoffs have been great. Carter has scored six goals and added five assists in 17 games.

Outside of Kopitar, Carter has been the Kings' most dangerous and consistent offensive force. Carter has also changed his perception as a soft player, buying into the Kings' physical and aggressive style. In fact, it can be said that Carter has been one of the impetuses for this incredible run. Since trading for Carter at the deadline, the Kings, including playoffs, have gone Carter has played a huge role in that remarkable display of hockey, scoring 12 goals and adding eight assists in that time span.

Carter's signature moment was the game-winner in Game 2. Another moment like that will propel him to the top of the Conn Smythe discussion. He's scored seven goals and added 10 assists. Three of those goals have been game-winners. Brown plays an aggressive style, and that hasn't changed in the playoffs. He has two short-handed goals, along with an impressive 82 hits.

Captains are almost always considered strongly for the Conn Smythe, but unfortunately for Brown, he's been just one of many tremendous players for the Kings. Despite being behind some of his teammates for the trophy, Brown has been a very valuable part of the Kings' amazing playoff run. He hasn't scored a goal in his last seven games, and that will hurt his chances. But his overall play and role as a captain will keep him in the discussion.

His penchant for clutch goals and his aggressive, punishing style make him valuable to the Kings, but in terms of his Conn Smythe chances, he will need to add a few more signature moments. With the Kings on the cusp of the cup, he's running out of chances. The Devils captain has had a very good overall playoffs, but he has started to struggle in the Stanley Cup Final. The Kings haven't lost a Game 3 yet this postseason, but momentum is a hard thing to shake when your team has already gone down The Devils have shown themselves resilient this offseason, coming back from , and series deficits, respectively.

In each of those series, the Devils showed they can come from behind and that they can win two, three and even four games in a row. In other words, Game 2 could go sour, but that doesn't mean the Devils couldn't jump back in and take Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles. The Devils had one of the best road records in the league this season, and they've made it this far despite some of their best players not showing up for significant periods of time. So then it would come down to a best-of-three series, where the Devils have home-ice advantage.

That is where the importance of Game 2 comes into play. The Kings need to lose on the road. We weren't as sharp as we'd like be. Richards was once again razor-sharp in the regular season, using his strong playmaking skills and defensive efforts to help the Rangers top the Eastern standings. And while New York has plenty of firepower in the form of Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and others, the native of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island points to their balanced, unselfish approach as the key reason for their success.

We probably don't have as much talent as some of the teams throughout the lineup, but we make up for it with the work ethic and blocking shots, playing strong defence. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Buy his book. Louis Blues 2 Game 3 May 3 St. Louis Blues 3 Game 3 April 16 St. Team Statistics. Overtime Goals. Playoff Leaders Rate Statistic Requirements. Goals 1. Assists 1. Points 1. Goals Created 1. Penalties in Minutes 1.

Even Strength Goals 1. Power Play Goals 1. Short-Handed Goals 1. Game-Winning Goals 1. Shots 1. Shooting Percentage 1. Hat Tricks 1. Goals Per Game 1. Assists Per Game 1.