Updated

Alec Martinez and Anze Kopitar scored a goal each to break open a scoreless deadlock and give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-0 lead over the New Jersey Devils after the second period of Game Three in the Stanley Cup finals on Monday.

The mid-game burst leaves the Kings one period away from taking a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals with Game Four on Wednesday set for a return to the Staples Center.

Following the scoreless opening period, the Devils had the early run of play in the second but again it was the Kings who got on the scoreboard first when Martinez jammed home a loose puck from a goal-mouth scramble after Martin Brodeur had denied Dwight King twice from close range.

The Kings added to their lead with 4:53 play when Kopitar, who scored the overtime winner in Game One, took a pinpoint feed from captain Dustin Brown and re-directed it past a helpless Brodeur.

The Devils had their chances in the second period with three powerplay opportunities but could not convert.

It was the same story in the opening period, when the Devils were awarded a four-minute powerplay after Jeff Carter was called for high-sticking but could not beat Jonathan Quick, who again has been brilliant in the Los Angeles net.

The Devils launched an all-out assault forcing Quick to make a string of big saves until New Jersey's Marek Zidlicky was called for tripping, leaving the teams four-on-four.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)