Fresh off their third win in four games, the New Jersey Devils received more good news as Patrik Elias is practicing with the team and should be able to play on Friday.

Friday's game is more than just another game, though, as it marks the first time the Devils will square off against the Kings since losing to them in the Stanley Cup Final a couple years back.

Some thoughts:

- No. 26's expected return will be a big boost for the team. The Devils offense seems to be picking it up of late and having Elias, who's arguably their best offensive threat, back in the lineup should help significantly.

Perhaps the best thing about Elias returning to the lineup is that Pete DeBoer has him slotted on a line with Damien Brunner, which should help get No. 12 going again. After a solid start to the season, Brunner has really quieted down - in large part due to being separated from Elias. If Elias can create some offense and get Brunner going offensively again, it will bode very well for the team moving forward.

- DeBoer announced that Cory Schneider will get the nod in goal vs Los Angeles. This is hardly a surprise as the Devils have a back-to-back this weekend and it makes sense to start both goaltenders against foes they're familiar with and have had success against in the past. Brodeur, who's been exceptional of late, will be back between the pipes on Saturday against Pittsburgh.

These are two tough games so the Devils will need quality play from their goaltenders if they want to keep this win/point streak going.

- Another player expected to return to the lineup this weekend is Stephen Gionta. He'll slot in for Jacob Josefson, who was pretty mediocre while filling in for Gionta. He won less than 50% of his draws, was a 47% possession player and didn't record one point. Personally I'd rather see Josefson play than Gionta but Josefson didn't do much in Gionta's absence, so I can see why DeBoer is inserting No. 11 back in the lineup.

- Looks like Anton Volchenkov will miss at least a game or two, so Mark Fayne will return to the lineup in his place. Based off practice today (per Tom Gulitti), Fayne looks like he'll play on a pairing with Pete Harrold, who has logged 48:38 (24:19 per game) over his last two outings.

- Quick tidbit about Ryan Carter: his two-goal performance against the Rangers marked the first time he's scored two goals in a game while playing for the Devils. He had done it two times prior with the Ducks.

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