BY: DAVID KOLB
LOS ANGELES KINGS (22-21-4) @ NEW JERSEY DEVILS (20-19-9)
SECOND AND FINAL
Tonight the Devils host the Los Angeles Kings for the second and final game of the season series, as the Kings defeated the Devils 4-2 in the first meeting at Staples Center on Nov. 19. The Devils begin the night winners of four of their last five games, including Saturday’s big 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings meanwhile will skate in Newark tonight riding a four-game losing streak following last night’s 3-2 loss vs. the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
QUOTABLE
“That’s been our theme this year. We get a lot of good opportunities but just can’t find a way to put it in. We have to find a way or it’s going to be too late and we’ll be out of the playoffs.”
—Kings forward, Jordan Nolan (who scored last night) on the Kings’ struggle to score goals this season.
WOOD NETS TWO
Devils’ 21-year-old rookie, Miles Wood, is proving he can put the puck in the net as he scored twice for the Devils, while recording his first multi-point game of his NHL career in Philadelphia Saturday. According to Elias, Wood’s multi-goal game was only the third by a New Jersey rookie in the past five seasons — the two others were Damon Severson and Sergey Kalinin. The Buffalo, N.Y. native now has seven goals and ten points in 29 games this season.
DOUGHTY D
Kings’ All-Star defenseman, Drew Doughty gained an assist last night vs. the Rangers and now has three points in his past two games. Doughty’s offensive numbers are down this season, as he has eight goals and 26 points, however his play in his own end has been phenomenal, and takes the ice tonight with a plus-10 rating. Doughty picked up an assist in the initial game of this season series vs. New Jersey, back on Nov. 19.
KYLE CATCHING FIRE
Devils’ winger, Kyle Palmieri scored the game-winning goal, his 11th of the season on the power play in the second period of Saturday’s win over Philly. No. 21 now has three goals and five points over the past five games and has 11 goals with 17 assists for 28 points this season.
