Fresh off a win against a very good Sharks team the New Jersey Devils will face an even better opponent tonight in the Los Angeles Kings.
While the Sharks were a tough test - one the Devils didn't exactly pass with flying colors despite the win - the Kings are another level ahead of them.
The Kings currently sit 1st in the Pacific Division, have won seven of their last 10 and rank 1st in both shot attempt for percentage and scoring chance for percentage at full-strength.
They are steamrolling through teams right now so the Devils will need to be on their game - especially with Cory Schneider out - if they're going to have a shot in this one.
LINEUPS Kennedy - Henrique - Smith-Pelly Boucher - Zajac - Palmieri Blandisi - Kalinin - Sislo Farnham - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Larsson Moore - Schlemko Helgeson - Severson
Kinkaid
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Lucic - Kopitar - Carter Pearson - Lecavalier - Toffoli King - Lewis - Brown Clifford - Shore - Versteeg
Scuderi - Doughty Muzzin - Martinez McNabb - Schenn
Quick
Notes
1) Teams have been absolutely caved in with Rob Scuderi on the ice at 5 v 5 over the last few years.
When you unmask the fact that Scuderi's played for Pittsburgh/LA/Chicago in his career, it is ..... pic.twitter.com/hCXbay1q4r
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) March 10, 2016
Despite Scuderi's struggles - consistently being hemmed in the defensive zone - the Kings are electing to play him on the top pairing along Drew Doughty. As good as Doughty is, giving Scuderi meaningful minutes leaves the Kings exposed. The Devils should be able to take advantage of that.
2) Devante Smith-Pelly is currently riding a shooting percentage spike to the tune of four goals in his last five games. He's bound to cool down sooner than later, obviously, but perhaps he can keep the hot hand for another game or two.
3) In Keith Kinkaid's last five decisions he has allowed zero goals, six goals, four goals, zero goals, two goals and four goals. He was very good as a rookie but this season he has struggled to put together a couple quality starts in a row. Can he do that tonight?
The game is at 10:30 eastern and can be seen on MSG+ and FS-W.
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