The Kings returned from their break with an intense matchup against their northern rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. They emerged victorious in overtime after a thrilling game, showcasing their future first-center's ability to dominate play. Future cornerstone Quinton Byfield had his first three-point performance of the season, being on the ice for all four of the goals for the Kings, even sealing the game with a top corner wrist shot in extra time. It was encouraging to see the Kings finally triumph over an opponent that had eliminated them from the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. Following that, the Kings played their second game of a back-to-back series against the Philadelphia Flyers, whom they had previously defeated 7-3 during a long road trip. The Flyers also faced a back-to-back situation, but they played one of their best games of the trip, according to head coach John Tortorella. Despite falling behind 4-2, the Kings rallied to win 5-4. Longtime captain Anze Kopitar delivered a vintage performance, scoring two goals from close range at the age of 37, which was a thrilling sight from the future Hall of Famer. There are many positive aspects to note, although the Kings have not fully returned to peak form since their break, experiencing a slight increase in goals allowed due to the seven goals conceded in their two games since returning. While these notable concerns could be magnified over a larger sample size, it’s essential to remember that they’ve earned crucial points—four out of four—during this back-to-back stretch. Fortunately for the Kings, they have a few days off before their next game on Wednesday, allowing them time to rest, refocus on their next opponent. They will have this Monday off, followed by practice on New Year's Eve in preparation for their formidable opponent on Wednesday for the only scheduled game of the day across the league. It’s important to note that the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals were the only teams that defeated the Kings in regulation during their recent seven-game road trip. The Capitals beat the Kings while they were on a back-to-back, missing key players Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault. In their 3-1 loss to the Devils, the Kings had both players in the lineup. The Devils are an elite team, featuring outstanding special teams, a potent offense that ranks eighth in the league for goals scored, and an elite defense that is second in goals against. Their power play is also impressive, ranking second in the league with a conversion rate of 30.6%, nearly double that of the Kings’ 16.7%. In contrast to the Oilers game, even given the difficulties their Northern rivals represent [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/how-the-oilers-have-exposed-the-kings-foundational-cracks], the matchup with the Devils will likely be a better indicator of where the Kings stand as the midpoint of the season approaches. In their last encounter, Nico Hischier effectively neutralized the ageless and red-hot Anze Kopitar, who was supported by Adrian Kempe. Meanwhile, Jack Hughes had his fingerprints all over the game by being involved in all three of the Devils' goals, scoring one and providing two assists. The Devils have a strong one-two punch at the center position, maybe not as offensively potent as the Oilers 1-2, but representing their own unique set of difficulties. However, with the matchups favoring the Kings at home and Byfield starting to excel playing under the Kings' top two centers, there is potential for the Kings to sustain their current strategy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/game-day/kings-stick-to-11-7-strategy] and point accrual. Since their ugly loss to the San Jose Sharks on November 25th, they’ve gone 10-2-2, collecting 22 out of a total 28 possible points. Nevertheless, in this league, there are no easy nights, and the challenges will continue to be relentless. THNKeithFriesWeek5Video
