Following a brutal loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Devils look to regain their footing at home against the Los Angeles Kings. Let’s take a look at the matchup in this preview.
The Essentials:
Matchup: Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils
Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: MSG, FDSNW, ESPN+
Listen: Devils Hockey Network
Last Devils Game: The Devils lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime at The Rock on Tuesday. Check out John’s recap of that infuriating game.
Last Kings Game: The Kings defeated the New York Islanders by a final score of 3-1. Check out NHL.com’s recap of that game.
Recent Momentum: The Los Angeles Kings have won eight of their last ten games, including their last six consecutive games, for a record of 17-8-3. More on Los Angeles’ winning streak below. New Jersey has won six of their last ten games and only two of their last five for a record of 18-10-3.
Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
These are the Kings’ projected lines and defensive pairings based on their matchup against the Islanders.
Forwards
Trevor Moore – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe
Warren Foegele – Quinton Byfield – Tanner Jeannot
Kevin Fiala – Phillip Danault – Alex Laferriere
Alex Turcotte – Samuel Helenius – Kyle Burroughs
Defense
Mikey Anderson – Vladislav Gavrikov
Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke
Jacob Moverare – Jordan Spence
Goaltending
Darcy Kuemper
David Rittich
Darcy Kuemper started the last two games, and David Rittich is the projected starting goalie for Thursday’s game.
Injuries
Defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a fractured left ankle and is not expected to return until early January.
New Jersey Devils
Here is the Devils’ projected lineup based on their lineup against the Leafs.
Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Paul Cotter – Erik Haula – Stefan Noesen
Nathan Bastian – Justin Dowling – Tomas Tatar
Defense
Brenden Dillon – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler – Jonathan Kovacevic
Goaltending
Jacob Markstrom
Isaac Poulter
Isaac Poulter was called up due to Jake Allen’s injury, but Jacob Markstrom is the projected starter.
What to Watch For
Coming in Hot
The Kings arrive at The Rock in second place in the Pacific Division, carrying the NHL’s longest current winning streak with six straight wins. In the last six games, Los Angeles has not allowed an opponent to score more than two goals in a game (per ESPN.com). In fact, the Kings have been performing well on defense all season. Per Natural Stat Trick, before the completion of Wednesday night’s games, the Kings were second in the NHL in limiting Scoring Chances Against (SCA), allowing 685, and third in Goals Allowed at all strengths, allowing only 71. Los Angeles prevents high-danger scoring chances, allowing the third-fewest in the NHL with 271. While not the most meaningful statistic, before Wednesday night’s games, Los Angeles is fifth in the NHL at all strengths with a Corsi For percentage (CF%) of 53.07 (per Natural Stat Trick).
The impressive defensive numbers are only partially aided by their goaltending. David Rittich, Thursday night’s projected goaltender, has posted a save percentage of .891 this season, allowing an average of 2.45 goals per game at all strengths per Natural Stat Trick. Darcy Kuemper, on the other hand, has been good. Kuemper has a save percentage of .907 and is saving 2.01 goals above average (GSAA) (per Natural Stat Trick). Since Kuemper started against the Isles and their last home game against the Minnesota Wild, let’s hope the Devils face Rittich instead.
Players to Watch: Adrian Kempe & Anze Kopitar
While the Kings’ season-long offensive statistics do not jump off the page, Los Angeles has an effective 1-2 combination with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, who have significantly contributed to their current winning streak. Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals with 14 and is four points behind Anze Kopitar for the team lead in points (per NHL.com). Kempe also leads Los Angeles with a +/- rating of +16 (per NHL.com). The Kings’ right wing scored on Tuesday against the Isles and has scored goals in three of their last four games. Kopitar is only one point behind Kempe in the +/- ratings and has been feeding Kempe all season. The Kings’ captain leads the team with 24 assists (per NHL.com). Over the last five games, both Kopitar and Kempe have posted five points (per NHL.com). Shutting down these two forwards will be another challenging task for the Devils on Thursday night.
Changes to New Jersey’s Lineup?
In Tuesday night’s game recap, John suggested returning Stefan Noesen to Nico Hischier’s line. I agree. Hischier has not recorded a point in four straight games. Neither has Noesen. Timo Meier has had one goal in the last four games, and it was a puck jammed home on the doorstep after being deflected off the post against Seattle. Dawson Mercer had a goal against the Rangers, but that is it in the last five games. The Devils MUST find a way to get Hischier’s line producing again and Noesen too. Noesen has had success with Nico this season, and the more complete net-front presence could spark the offensive production on this line. I feel like a broken record, but when the Devils get gritty goals, they tend to be successful. I like Mercer’s game, but this switch could generate more offense.
Final Note: Special Teams
Speaking of sounding like a broken record, the Devils should have the advantage on special teams in this matchup. The Kings are converting on only 16.7 percent of their power plays, one of the worst in the NHL (per NHL.com). Los Angeles’ penalty kill is in the middle of the pack, killing just over 80 percent of their penalties. The Devils’ penalty kill performed well last game, and while their power play did not score, this matchup could be a good game to get back on track.
Your Thoughts
Would you make any adjustments to the line combinations? What would you do to get Hischier’s line going again? What must the Devils do to shut down a hot Kings team? Give us your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. Thank you for reading, and GO DEVILS!