The New Jersey Devils were unable to snap out of their mini-skid as they were shutout by the Los Angeles Kings on New Year’s Day. After losing a game against the Anaheim Ducks on New Year’s Eve, the team’s longest road trip of the year continued with a 3-0 loss.

The Devils dropped to 24-14-3 on the season with the loss.

Game Recap 

First Period

The period was scoreless, but surprisingly, it was an entertaining period of hockey. With the Devils playing the night before, and the Kings having a few days off, both teams took to the attack. The Devils came out flying and generating good quality chances on Darcy Kuemper. The Kings countered, but nobody could light the lamp and give the team a lead heading into the second period. 

The Devils really pushed the pace during five-on-five play. They held the edge in shot attempts 23-14 and outshot the Kings 14-8. The Devils did hold the expected goals share, but Kuemper did his job finishing the period with 1.00 goals saved above expected. Both teams did a tremendous job of limiting high danger chances, allowing three each. 

Second Period

The Kings drew first blood in the second period and it came with excitement. Andre Lee scored his first career NHL goal going bar down over Jake Allen after taking a flip pass from Jordan Spence. The Devils almost responded, but Warren Foegele got his stick in the lane to preserve the one goal lead. Moments after, the Devils tied the game, but the Kings challenged for goalie interference and won the challenge. Both teams displayed good pace to end the period, but the Devils headed to the third period down 1-0. 

This period was tighter contested. Shot attempts were 13-12 in favor of the Kings, who put together a much better period. However, shots on goal at five-on-five were 4-3 in favor of the Devils, so a very low event period. Nobody could muster up anything of quality, with the Devils having an edge in high-danger attempts, 2-1.

Third Period

It took until after the midway point of the third period, but the Kings drew first blood once again. After Jake Allen made a spectacular save on Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield got the best of him. Mikey Anderson made a bounce pass off the boards that found Phillip Danault. He fed a pass to Byfield who ripped a shot that slid five hole past Allen. It was a goal that Allen would’ve liked to have back and the lead was now 2-0.

Adrian Kempe put the dagger in the Devils, scoring the empty net goal to make it 3-0. The Devils had a 4:00 minute power play to end the game, but couldn’t cash in and when the horn sounded the Devils would go down 3-0. 

Game Notes 

• The Kings are a strong defensive team and for good reason. It was a very low event offense for the Devils during five-on-five play. The Devils generated just 1.8 expected goals across the three periods. Hats off to Darcy Kuemper, who finished with 3.13 goals saved above expected. 

• Despite no goals being scored, the captain had a strong game. With Hischier on the ice the Devils held an edge in shot attempts (21-9) and held a significant edge in scoring chances 9-2. His line alongside Timo Meier and Stefan Noesen generated the second-most expected goals as a line and almost got the tying goal in the second period. 

What’s Next

The Devils continue their road trip Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.