GDT: Devils @ Kings - 6:00 PM - MSG

[JK3]

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (24-13-3) vs. LOS ANGELES KINGS (21-10-5)

The Devils face the Kings after suffering a 3-2 loss in Anaheim last night. The Devils were playing their best hockey heading into the holiday break, but have struggled to find their game since, losing it's first two games of a five game road trip.

Jesper Bratt leads the Devils in assists (33) and points (47). He’s on pace to set career highs in each category. Jack Hughes is close behind with 46 points on 15 goals and 31 assists. Captain Nico Hischier paces the club with 18 goals. The Devils have five players in double digits in goals. Goaltender Jake Allen, who hasn't won a game in forever, will likely start against the Kings. He’s 5-6-1 on the year with a 2.89 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

The Kings are in a tight race in the Pacific Division, currently sitting in the No. 2 spot behind Vegas. Los Angeles ended 2024 with back-to-back home wins against Edmonton (4-3 OT) and Philadelphia (5-4). Prior to those two games, the Kings completed a seven-game, 15-day road trip that saw the club go 3-2-2.

The Kings are led by Anze Kopitar, the 37-year-old leads the team with 27 assists and 39 points. The two-time Selke and Lady Byng winner is playing in his 19th NHL season. Adrian Kempe paces the team with 17 goals. Goalies David Rittich and Darcy Kuemper have split the duties in goal with Kuemper putting up the better numbers on paper.

The Devils earned a 3-1 victory in the only previous matchup, Dec. 12 at New Jersey. Jack Hughes picked up three points in the contest with one goal and two assists. Hughes’ third-period goal with 7:02 left in regulation broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the game-winner. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 13 of 14 shots, including an Alex Turcotte penalty shot.

The Kings have won seven straight home games. The contest against New Jersey is the third installment of a five-game homestand. They're 12-2-1 at Crypto.com Arena this season.

INJURIES

Devils: Hatakka (shoulder, IR)

Kings: Moore (upper-body, IR), Lewis (lower-body, IR), Doughty (ankle, IR)

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[NjdevilfanJim]

Happy New Year thank you for taking the time to do this....

 

[NjDevsRR]

@britdevil

 

[Devs3cups]

@JK3 Apologies, I didn't see yours up somehow and started a quick one!

 

[MB3]

Feels like there’s approximately a 0.01% chance we win this game. Jake Allen, second half of a road back to back while the kings have relaxed and practiced for 3 days.

Please don’t have 3 regulation losses in a row.

 

[JK3]

@JK3 Apologies, I didn't see yours up somehow and started a quick one!

No worries! You can do the next one after we lose three straight.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Let’s hope this is better than the New Year’s Eve debacle

 

[The 29th Pick]

Happy effin New Year, MSG is no longer available in my area (Bergen County)

 

[Bleedred]

Definitely last night was one of our worst games of the season. It was almost like the Sharks game, where we had one good period and that was it. Actually, we may have had a good period and last 5 minutes of the 2nd in that one. We had a good 1st period last night and that’s it.

One other game often forgotten about this year that was one of our worst this season, I feel like it’s been forgotten about or at least not talked about. That game up in Calgary. Another game where we gave up a point with 5 or fewer minutes left in regulation.

Vladar was by far the easiest shutout of us this season. Probably the easiest shutout anyone has had against us in years, because we’ve rarely been shutout in the last few years before this one.

And we made Calgary look nearly as good defensively as we looked the last few weeks before the break. That was a shit game.

 

[Bleedred]

I think we could play this one close today. It should be competitive.

If it’s not competitive it probably means Allen was bad again, which shouldn’t shock anyone.

And hopefully it’s his last one until January 18-19 or whenever the next back to back is, but he’ll probably play again once between that.

 

[Devs3cups]

I expect the boys to come out strong tonight after last night's game.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

LGD.

 

[HoliksGhost]

No fancy chit tonight

 

[Saugus]

Let's start off 2025 strong with a win!

I have to go back to work tomorrow after 12 days off, and I want to be in a good mood.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

~~~Lets Go Devils~~~

 

[Better Call Sal]

Everyone expects a loss. Means we’re getting a big fat dub!

LFGD

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

it is kinda funny that when we lose, its almost always in regulation

dating back to the start of last season, we only have 8 loser points. For reference, four teams in the league already have at least 7 just this year alone, through ~half the year.

 

[Bleedred]

it is kinda funny that when we lose, its almost always in regulation

dating back to the start of last season, we only have 8 loser points. For reference, four teams in the league already have at least 7 just this year alone, through ~half the year.

And I can think of at least 3 times this year that we lost a tie and the game winning goal was scored in the last 5 or fewer minutes of regulation.

Last night

The stupid Calgary game, which to me was low key maybe our worst game of the season. 18 save shutout by Vladar and they had like 30 shots on us. It was 0-0 until there were like 5 minutes left in the 3rd. I'm pretty sure we gave up goals on back to back shifts in the final 5 minutes. Jack had two breakaways in that game, but those were the only halfway threatening chances we had the entire game. And Calgary aren't exactly a good defensive team.

And the Detroit game in October where Markstrom was awful and allowed a GWG with like 3 or 4 minutes left to Patrick Kane. We were by far the better team that night.

 

[britdevil]

I struggle to see them winning tonight. LA are too good at home.

But then, I also had last night as a nailed on win.

Funny old game.

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Yay Optimum no longer carries MSG! Funny I thought Optimum was formerly Cablevison and that they also owned MSG. Apparently not.

 

[My3Sons]

You hope the Kings have worse hangovers from last night than NJ will.

 

[Devs3cups]

Not feeling very confident in this one.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Kings have been partying in LA for three days. They’re boned. Just hope we score some goals.

 

[Louskoolaid89]

So Optimum dropped MSG but, the game is on NHL Netwrok and on NHL Center Ice. I guess I still get the game. I just subscribed to ESPN+.

 

[Andre Palot]

It's also on Fubo. Strongly suggest everyone switch to that.