The Matchup: New Jersey Devils (6-4-0 overall, 5-2-0 home) vs. Los Angeles Kings (2-4-2 overall, 2-1-2 away)
The Time: 3:30 PM EDT
The Broadcast: Local TV — MSGSN; Out of Market — ESPN+, Angels Broadcast Television (ABTV); Radio — Devils Hockey Network
Last Time Out
New Jersey Devils
After a very back-and-forth start to the season, a dominant 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks has quietly given the Devils four wins out of their last five. They outplayed Anaheim from the jump, and despite some pressure from the Ducks in the 2nd and 3rd periods, the game was never truly in much doubt. It also marked the 10th time in 10 games that the Devils outshot their opponent, and they were well-rewarded for it.
Los Angeles Kings
After a very slow start to the season, a 3-2 overtime win over the Islanders gave the Kings back-to-back wins. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, this game didn’t look too much like the Kings rounding any corners, as they were substantially outplayed and outshot (43-27). If not for Darcy Keumper (with his .869 save percentage coming into the game) making some massive saves in the final minute of the game, they would have lost this one. Kuemper was huge in this game, saving 1.98 goals above expected in all situations, per Natural Stat Trick. The heavy workload that Kuemper carried on Thursday likely means the Devils see Anton Forsberg in net, who isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire either with his .891 SV% and -0.58 GSAA.
What to Watch For
They Don’t Ask How, They Ask How Many
Unlike Devils teams of recent seasons, these Devils seem to be getting the hang of going to the net, doing the dirty work, and getting rewarded for it. Per Natural Stat Trick, on Thursday, the Devils had 15 high-danger chances to the Ducks’ four, driven largely by the forwards getting to the front of the net and getting in the goalie’s kitchen. Just look at this thing of beauty from the game against the Ducks.
All Devils goals came from inside the dots.
I would love to see this kind of game continue, with players like Timo, Grits, and others camping in front of the net and picking up trash when it is available. Continuing that trend would be a massive step in the right direction relative to Devils teams of the last few seasons who seemed content to shoot from outside, and without any traffic.
Get close; get dirty; get goals.
Cookin’ Grits
I’m a bit biased given towards Grits because of my pre-season prediction that he would be a massive X-factor for the Devils this season. He’s shown himself to be a growing part of the team’s scoring threat. Against the Avalanche, he showed that he has silky hands with which he can undress defenders and goaltenders. Against Anaheim, he showed that he isn’t afraid to show… well… grit… by scoring a goal while causing chaos in front of Husso. Keep an eye on Grits moving forward; he’s tied with Nico as the team leader in goals (five) and third on the team in points (seven).
Growing Confidence in the Crease
Thanks, Sunny. I had a nice, complimentary paragraph about Nico Daws and how his play against the Ducks (along with Allen’s play against the Avalanche) has me feeling increasingly confident about our goalies. Then you had to go ahead and pull off a bit of magic to land Connor Hellebuyck. My first official writeup for the site, and Sunny, you go and sabotage it.
Clearly, I’m kidding. I’m high on the Hellebuyck trade, and I think he instantly makes us better. That said, it’s unclear as to when he can join the Devils in an actual game given that he has largely been training on his own, so I’m expecting to see Allen on the ice on Saturday afternoon. He’s started to pick up his play as well, looking strong against Colorado.
Something to watch beyond this game, though… how will the goalies split time? I expect when he starts playing, Hellebuyck will get 60-70% of the starts, but we’ll see. Right now, I’m just thrilled that we have a true number one in goal that can take a massive amount of pressure off the 36-year-old Allen.
Welcome to Jersey, Connor. Happy to have you.
Ascending Kings?
The Kings have hit a bit of a hot streak. I’ve watched several of their games this season, and I don’t think they’re necessarily good, but there is something very dangerous about a hot team playing better than they should in games they’re not “supposed to win.” This has the makings of a trap game, and the Devils have to be very careful to get an early jump on Los Angeles. Avoid the slow start. Continue the “1-0, Us” trend, and bury the Kings hard and fast.
Professor K’s Brainy Quote for the Game
I’d love to see the hard work that the Devils are doing in front of the net continue to pay off. So, in that spirit, I give you Henry Wadsworth Longfellow from his poem “The Ladder of St. Augustine”:
“The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.”
Keep toiling in front of the net, Devils, and attain those great heights.
Your Thoughts
Can the Devils continue their hot streak with a combination of skill and grit? Who is going to be the key player for the Devils this afternoon? Is Keefe off the hot seat if the Devils win for their third win in a row? How good is Hellebuyck going to look in red, white, and black? Let us know below in the comments.
Let’s go Devils!