That wait will have to last until at least Saturday.
In a game they needed to win the New Jersey Devils were able to force a game five with a 3-1 win last night at Staples Center.
New Jersey started strong like they did in games two and three but couldn't solve Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. As the second period went along it felt like it was only a matter of time before Los Angeles scored the first goal of the game.
Thanks to Martin Brodeur the game was scoreless until the 3rd period where New Jersey was finally able to get one past Quick.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. That goal by Elias gave the Devils their first lead in the series. The lead would only last for one minute as David Clarkson would take a questionable boarding penalty.
That would put Los Angeles on the power play where Drew Doughty would score to tie the game.
Mark my words, Doughty will be the best defenseman in the NHL within the next three years.
With that goal it looked like the Kings were ready to take charge of the game and the celebration would begin with the next goal. The next goal never came for Los Angeles. Instead it came from the stick of Devils rookie Adam Henrique.
Only 22 years old and the kid is pure money.
New Jersey would add an empty net goal to clinch a 3-1 victory and send the finals back to Newark for a game five Saturday night.
Now if you are a Kings fan you are disappointed Los Angeles wasn't able to close the series out on home ice but you are confident going into game five.
The Kings have played in two games five this post-season after being up 3-0. They won both of those in overtime to close out the series. If the trend holds true then tomorrow night Los Angeles fans should be able to celebrate.
However one thing to keep in mind about New Jersey is they are 9-1 this post-season in games four through seven. And while the chances of coming back to win the series after losing the first three games is pretty slim there is one player on the Devils roster that has done it.
That would be Henrique who was on the Windsor Spitfires when they came back from 3-0 down in the OHL playoffs to win their series against Kitchner en route to winning the 2010 Memorial Cup.
Now granted coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the OHL is different than doing it in the NHL but it only has to happen once for players to believe it can happen again. If New Jersey needs any more inspiration to rally and win the series all they have to do is look across the Kings bench.
Simon Gagne, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were all on the 2010 Philadelphia Flyer team that rallied from 3-0 down to win their playoff series against Boston.
The Devils proved on Wednesday they won't go down without a fight. Everything was against them going into game four and they found a way to win. The scenario will be the same for game five with the only thing different being the venue.
Tomorrow night a win by Los Angeles gives them the Stanley Cup. A win by New Jersey however gives them another game to play this season.
After being down 3-0 in the series I think all Devils fans would take that scenario if presented to them.
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