The New Jersey Devils are set to continue their road trip after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Anaheim Tuesday night. Their swing through the state of California continues, as they head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings. Of course, this is the second of New Jersey’s back-to-back set over the last two days.
Match Overview
The Devils officially turn the page to 2025. After the Christmas break, the Devils split their home-and-home series with the Carolina Hurricanes, which was good given the outlook of the Metropolitan Division. Prior to the break, the Devils were on a historic stretch of allowing 20 or fewer shots on goal over a seven game stretch. Jacob Markstrom also pitched two shutouts, facing only 12 shots on goal.
The Los Angeles Kings are bringing fresh legs into this contest. They have not played since December 29, having won their final two games to close out 2024. Both were by a one goal. The Kings are an interesting team this season and have gotten where they are without veteran defenseman Drew Doughty. They are middle of the pack in scoring, but love to smother the opposition defensively.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hischier-Noesen
Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Cotter-Haula-Mercer
MacDermid-Lazar-Bastian
Defense
Dillon-Hamilton
Hughes-Pesce
Siegenthaler-Kovacevic
Goalies
Allen
Markstrom
Los Angeles Kings
Forwards
Turcotte-Kopitar-Kempe
Foegele-Byfield-Jeannot
Fiala-Danault-Laferriere
Burroughs-Helenius-Lee
Defense
Anderson-Gavrikov
Edmundson-Clarke
Moverare-Spence
Goalies
Kuemper
Rittich
What to Watch For
Breaking Through the Kings Defense
No Doughty? No problem. The Kings may have the 15th-ranked save percentage, but they are one of the best defensive teams in hockey. The Devils have a strong offensive attack and their best players have more often than not been their best players. Jack Hughes and company will have their work cut out for them.
The Kings have allowed the fewest goals against (94) and do not give up much. At five-on-five play, they have given up the third-fewest shot attempts against and have the lowest expected goals against. Also, while limiting the quantity, they give up little quality having the fewest high danger chances against.
The Devils will certainly need to bring their best offensive effort in what will be a strong test.
Being Sharp in the Second of Back-to-Back
Whatever the case may be, the Devils have struggled in the second of a back-to-back set. During the 2024-25 season, the Devils are 1-5 in the second games of such. Their lone win came when the team first opened the season in Prague against the Buffalo Sabres.
With the grind of a West Coast road trip and playing back-to-back sets twice since coming out of the Christmas break, the Devils will want to right the ship in this regard.
Where to Watch
Wednesday evening’s puck drop is at 6:00 pm ET and can be found on NHL Network.