Team Records:
Devils: 26 - 12 - 3 (55 pts)
Kings: 25 - 14 - 6 (56 pts)
Kings Notes:
The Kings have outshot their opponent in each of their last six games, dating back to Dec. 31 vs. Philadelphia. During that time, the team collectively outshot their opponents 191-156.
The LA Kings have won four of their last five meetings vs. the New Jersey Devils, dating back to Feb. 5, 2019 (4-1-0). In that time, the Kings outscored the Devils 13-9 for a goals-against per game of 1.80. The last time LA hosted New Jersey at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 5, 2021, Alex Iafallo scored 42 seconds into overtime to give the Kings a 3-2 win over the Devils. Iafallo enters tonight having points in each of his last three games against the Devils (2-1=3) and can tie Morris Lukowich (4 GP, 2-6=8) and Bob Nevin (4 GP, 1-5=6) for the longest point streak by a Kings skater against the Devils in franchise history.
Drew Doughty's third period goal Wednesday night stood as the game-winning goal for his first of the season and 29th of his career, tying Rob Blake for most game-winning goals in franchise history among defensemen.
Adrian Kempe's 18 goals are tied for third in the league among Swedish-born skaters, while New Jersey's Jesper Bratt has 17.
HC Todd McLellan won his 553rd game as an NHL head coach Wednesday night, moving him three wins shy of tying Marc Crawford for the 23rd-most wins by a head coach in league history. McLellan stands behind the Kings bench tonight with 119 wins, the sixth-most by a head coach in franchise history, and can tie Larry Robinson (122) for the fifth-most with three more victories.
The Kings are 7th in faceoff win percentage (53.0%).
The Kings power play ranks 8th in the NHL (24.4%).
The Kings penalty kill ranks 28th in the NHL (73.1%).
Devils Notes:
The Devils are an NHL best 16-2-1 on the road.
The Devils are 12th in faceoff win percentage (50.9%).
The Devils power play ranks 23rd in the NHL (20.9%).
The Devils penalty kill ranks 7th in the NHL (82.2%).
Who to Watch:
Kevin Fiala, who has five goals and seven points in his last three games. On the season, Fiala has 46 points (15-31=46) in 45 games.
Jack Hughes, who is 7th in the NHL in goalscoring with 28 goals. Hughes has 10 goals in his last eight games and has 52 points (28-24=-52) in 42 games this season.
