The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (32-31-2) versus the Los Angeles Kings (27-23-15).
The Broadcast: TV — MSGSN, Radio — Devils Hockey Network
The Devils might still be “NHL .500,” but there is a key issue with their team this season: they have lost more games than they won. For a little while, they got back above with their four-game winning streak, but two brutal losses to the Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames have sank them once more. Thanks to their lack of overtime losses this season, which have kept the objectively bad Los Angeles Kings in a playoff spot, the New Jersey Devils can only afford to lose one or two more games in regulation this season. But that’s just what happens when you play in a league that rewards being a loser in 65 minutes rather than 60 and most of the team’s losses are by more than one goal. Whose fault is that? Well, it might come down to…
Once a turnover happens, their system requires forwards to track back into coverage as opposed to pressuring to get the puck back. This is why you see so many “one-and-done” offensive chances. This is one of my biggest gripes with Keefe’s systems, is we were told we would be “pressuring the puck all over the ice” but instead the first instinct is to fall into a defensive posture.
This then brings us to the neutral zone, where once again we play prevent, as opposed to applying pressure.
After a few games of playing the right way during their four-game winning streak: that is, playing quickly on the rush, forechecking, and pressuring the puck with three or four skaters at or below the dots in the offensive zone, the Devils regressed right back to the ultra-conservative offensive system they had been flailing with all season. Tim also recapped the recent loss to the Flames, which I only saw the third period of. What I saw there was Keefe continuing to refuse to pull the goaltender, which should have been done after the third goal against. Without the softie allowed by Markstrom at the start of the period, the Devils might have actually taken that game to overtime. But even after Jack pulled the team to within two, Keefe would not pull Markstrom for the extra attacker until there was only a bit over three minutes to play. Down multiple goals, it generally behooves coaches to pull their goalies with five or more minutes left in the game: especially for a team as starved for goal-scoring as the Devils. But hey, at least Keefe had some shots for the guy who made it a game again.
I would suggest that the coach whose team’s victories and losses are always determined by the 40-minute mark take a look in the mirror for once in his coaching career. Meanwhile, Lindy Ruff is seeing his team pull off 8-7 back-and-forth victories and saying “that’s my kind of hockey.” I know what I’d rather watch, especially for a team full of talented rush players. Keefe can’t even get a forward to cover for a pinching defenseman.
Kings With Something to Play For
With Kings Captain Anze Kopitar in his final NHL season, the Los Angeles Kings are going to be playing their hearts out for the rest of the season while they try to cling onto eighth place in the Western Conference. Kopitar may have chosen retirement at the right time, as it seems time has caught up to him. He is still a very good defensive player, but his scoring has largely dried up, and this season is the first time Kopitar has ever produced below a 56-point per 82-game pace (46).
The Kings are obviously missing Kevin Fiala, who was hurt in a collision with Tom Wilson during the Olympics. Their replacement in that part of the lineup is pretty good though, as Artemi Panarin has nine points in nine games for the silver and black. Also around the Kings, former Devil Brian Dumoulin has massively turned his season around, going from some rather poor early numbers to now doing better than break-even at five-on-five with great penalty killing. The young Kings have had mixed seasons. Quinton Byfield’s development has turned to offensive regression. Alex Turcotte has not broken past fourth-line production. Alex Laferriere has seen no growth from last season. Only defenseman Brandt Clarke has had a particularly good season among the Kings’ under-25 players. Maybe that could be something to circle back on in a couple of months.
For the time being, though, the Kings are in a playoff spot despite having just three more points in the standings than the Devils. They need every win they can get with the Sharks on their tail. Tonight will not be an easy game for the Devils, if the powers that be even want them to win at this point.
What do you think of tonight’s game? Will the Kings win? If so, by how much? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.
