New Jersey has an all-time record of 41-55-11-4 against Los Angeles.
The New Jersey Devils will host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The team held a 10:30 A.M. morning skate.
Winger Ondrej Palat was missing due to an illness that has been making its way through the Devils' locker room. Head coach Lindy Ruff told attending media the 32-year-old will be a game-time decision. During the morning skate, Chris Tierney took Palat's spot on the top line with Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt.
Devils vs. Kings - Prudential Center
The Devils earned a 2-0-0 record against the Kings last season. In their previous meeting, New Jersey defeated Los Angeles in overtime 4-3. Tomas Tatar, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer (2) scored. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves on 22 shots.
The Kings are fourth in the Pacific Division (24-16-10). They are coming off a brutal 7-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Goaltender David Rittich allowed five goals on 17 shots. He was replaced at the start of the third period by Cam Talbot, who made five saves.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely), Jonas Siegenthaler (broken foot), and Vitek Vanecek (illness/lower body).
- LA's injury list includes Carl Grundstrom (lower body), Blake Lizotte (lower body), and Pheonix Copley (knee).
- On Tuesday morning, the Kings announced Viktor Arvidsson was activated from long-term injured reserve.
- Dawson Mercer has four points over his last two games against tonight's opponent.
- Per the media notes, the Kings have points in five of their last seven games against the Devils (4-2-1), dating back to Feb. 5, 2019.
- Alex Laferriere will play his first career hometown game, returning to New Jersey for the first time in his NHL career. He grew up in Chatham.
- Graeme Clarke's brother Brandt Clarke was recalled from the Ontario Reign (American Hockey League) on Feb. 8.
- Tonight will be Kings' interim head coach Jim Hiller's third game as the club's bench boss. On Feb. 2, 2024, Todd McLellan was fired after the team lost 14 of McLellan's final 17 games.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
(Chris Tierney) - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Jack Hughes - Eric Haula - Tyler Toffoli
Timo Meier - Curtis Lazar - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz - Tomas Nosek - Nathan Bastian
Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Brendan Smith - Colin Miller
Nico Daws/Akira Schmid
Los Angeles:
Quinton Byfield - Anze Kopitar - Kevin Fiala
Trevor Moore - Phillip Danault - Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Laferriere - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Adrian Kempe
Jaret Anderson-Dolan - Alex Turcotte - Trevor Lewis
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov - Matt Roy
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence
David Rittich/Cam Talbot
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.
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