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The New Jersey Devils (7-4) wrapped up their homestand. They defeated the Los Angeles Kings (2-5-2) on Saturday to secure their third win in a row. In what was a very tightly contested matchup on the scoreboard, the Devils prevailed. 

Game Recap 

First Period 

It was a low-event period to start and not much open ice for either team to generate. Ultimately, Brett Pesce took the game’s first penalty, giving the Kings a prime opportunity to take the lead and open the scoring. The Devils killed the penalty and even generated an odd-man rush the other way. Jack Hughes aimed to send a pass cross ice, but Mikey Anderson broke up the play.

The Devils kept buzzing, but couldn’t muster up a shot on goal, according to the arena shot counter anyways. The Kings did a great job keeping them to the perimeter and giving them no inside ice. Finally, a tripping call in the neutral zone gave the Devils their first power play of the game. 

The Devils managed to get their first four shots on goal on the power play, but failed to capitalize. The horn sounded and both teams headed to the second period tied at zero. 

This was as even of a period as you’ll see. The shot attempts were dead even at nine apiece, but the shots on goal favored the Kings 4-1 at five-on-five. There was only three combined high-danger chances in this period, showing how low event it was. The Devils did control the expected goal share at 64.14% of the period.

Second Period

The Devils came out with a fast start to the period and got after the Kings defense. They pushed the pace and generated some high-danger chances. The biggest chance came right in front of the crease by Luke Evangelista, but Anton Forsberg stood tall and nobody could pounce on the rebound. More big chances came, as Jack Hughes had a great look and missed an open net and then again skated down the left side of the wall and whiffed on a one timer. The Devils got their second power play of the game after Scott Laughton tripped Hughes in the neutral zone. 

The Devils put forth a dominant power play, but it was the Kings who drew first blood and right after the penalty kill. On their second shot on goal of the period, Laughton scored the first goal after exiting the penalty box to give the Kings a 1-0 lead.

Moments later, the Devils tied things up. After generating in the offense zone, Anthony Mantha deked his way to the left faceoff circle and wired a wrist shot top shelf over Forsberg.

With three seconds left in the period, the Devils had an odd-man rush, Timo Meier blast a slap shot on net right at the buzzer that came close. Both teams once again headed to the next period tied.

The Devils dominated the second period and it was not particularly close. At five-on-five, they out-attempted the Kings 25-11, outshot the Kings 12-3, held a significant edge in scoring chances 13-5, and high-danger chances 6-1. Expected goals were 1.2-0.39 for the Devils in this period. 

Third Period

The third period was all Devils to start. Jake Allen made a great save to preserve the tie in the beginning of the period and eventually the Devils grabbed the lead.

After receiving a pass, Brett Pesce with great patience waited out the defenseman and found the open corner to score his first goal of the season.

The Devils added the insurance marker, with Arseny Gritsyuk extended his goal streak. At the sound of the horn the Devils would win the game 3-1. 

Wrap Up 

The Devils wrapped up their three game homestand and were victors in all three. Jake Allen was sharp despite not being tested very much, stopping 12 of 13 shots he faced. Anthony Mantha extended his goal streak (two games), and Arseny Gritsyuk did as well (five). Brett Pesce scored his first of the season, which proved to be the game-winning goal.

Game Notes 

• Arseny Gristyuk continues to be a workhorse for this Devils team. He led all skaters in Corsi-for percentage (77.27). When on the ice, the Devils outshot the Kings 4-3 and he was second among all skaters in expected goals for percentage with 92.16. 

• The line of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Luke Evangelista was very impactful. The trio had the second best CF% (70.59) and in xGF% (78.81). They were an opportunistic line, outshooting the Kings 6-2 when on the ice and had the most expected goals (0.8). 

What’s Next? 

The Devils hit the road and take on the Stars Tuesday night on the first of a back-to-back set.