10:37 pm
November 5

Devils @ Kings

Who will WIN this matchup?

New Jersey Devils (4-3-1)

@ Los Angeles Kings (4-5-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Mackenzie Blackwood (NJ): Unconfirmed

Cal Petersen (LAK): Likely

 

Current odds:

New Jersey Devils: (+105)

Los Angeles Kings: (-125)

 

• Having lost three of four games, the latest a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils are in need of a spark. Alex Holtz, the seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, was summoned from the minors on Thursday after scoring five goals in four games for the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets and is expected to make his NHL debut in Friday’s road game against the Los Angeles Kings.

• The Devils, who have two more games remaining on their California road swing, could use a boost. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton is expected to miss the game, a blow to the club that’s struggling after winning three of four games to kick off the season.

• Coach Lindy Ruff said Holtz could help their struggling power play. Against the Ducks, New Jersey was 0-for-5 with the man-advantage, and surrendered a short-handed goal. The Ducks also scored twice on their power-play chances. Should Holtz play, it would mean two of New Jersey’s three first-round picks from 2020 will be playing for them — the other being forward Dawson Mercer, who has three goals and five points in eight games.

• The Kings are looking to extend their three-game winning streak, which was stretched with a 3-2 shootout victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. Prior to this mini-spree, the Kings dropped six consecutive contests.

• Piling up victories has the Kings believing they’re on the right path to success. The way the Kings regrouped to earn the win after what transpired on Wednesday — Blues defenseman Torey Krug scored a game-tying short-handed goal with nine seconds remaining in regulation — is a positive to build upon.

• The Kings also made a couple of roster moves on Thursday in anticipation of forward Andreas Athanasiou playing for the first time since an upper-body injury early in training camp.

• Forwards Alex Turcotte and Vladimir Tkachev were recalled from the AHL’s Ontario Reign, while defensemen Kale Clague and Austin Strand were sent to the minors. Star defenseman Drew Doughty was moved to the long-term injured list. Doughty suffered a knee injury in late October and is expected to miss two months.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Los Angeles Kings
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