HOW TO WATCH
Game Time: 1:00 PM Pacific
TV: Fox Sports West, MSG+
Radio: KABC AM 790
Stream: Fox Sports Go (requires cable subscription)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
if you’re a Kings fan: From Thursday’s watch:
Darryl Sutter is sticking with That 70’s Line and the Brown-Dowd-Setoguchi combo; one of them needs to take over this game.
Carter, Toffoli, and Pearson did so. So today we’re hoping for the defensemen to chip in; Doughty, Muzzin, and Martinez all went scoreless during LA’s four-game losing streak, but Martinez got an assist against Edmonton.
if you’re a Devils fan: New Jersey’s never really had a dynamic offense, and Taylor Hall’s injury isn’t going to help matters. Hall is out 3-4 weeks after knee surgery, and they’re probably going to need a 2-1 win if they’re hoping to walk out with two points.
if you’re a hockey fan: It’s a rematch of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final! The Devils’ last win at Staples was in Game 4 of that series.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
for the Kings: Drew Doughty. His 5v5 scoring rate hasn’t actually fallen off too much — believe it or not, his primary point rate (goals + first assists) is higher than it’s ever been in his career. But with the power play woes, he’s well off his overall scoring rate.
for the Devils: Kyle Quincey. He’s probably not the key today, but he scored in the Devils’ last game against Anaheim, he’s played over 19 minutes in the last two games, and I was amazed to find out that he played for New Jersey. Wow!
LEAGUEWIDE WATCH
Pretty great stuff from our main NHL site; they looked at all 21 slashes the Minnesota Wild put on Johnny Gaudreau the other night. Gaudreau’s finger broke as a result. [SB Nation NHL]
WATCH THIS
Obviously, something from 2012.