ESPN+ brings you exclusive TV coverage of the New Jersey Devils and its game against the L.A. Kings at the Staples Center. Puck drop is at 10:30 p.m. ET. This is the second of three games on New Jersey's California road trip.
You can listen to the action on the Devils Hockey Network.
Read the game preview below and check back for lineup updates, videos, and more a few hours before the game.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS
GAME DAY VIDEO
Looking to Rebound | DEVILS MINUTE
Devils Pre-Game Interviews: Tatar
Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff
BY THE NUMBERS
Stats Comparison: Devils vs. Kings
Media Game Notes: Devils vs. Kings
Devils Player Statistics
Kings Player Statistics
NHL Standings
RECENT VIDEOS
Holtz Heating Up | VERIZON
3-on-3: Andreas and Jimmy
SPOTLIGHT: Newark Moonlight Drive In Cinema
RECENT BLOGS & ARTICLES
Holtz Recalled from Utica Comets
Stillman Returns to Worlds | PROSPECT WATCH
PODCAST: Mark Recchi
GAME STORY: Special Teams the Difference in Loss to Ducks
SUNDAYS WITH STAN: Single Season Standouts
INJURY UPDATE: Hughes Status
TV & RADIO
You can watch tonight's game within the Devils region on ESPN+.
You can listen to tonight's game on the Devils Hockey Network.

I NSIDE THE DEVILS

Keep up to date on the latest details from Devils practices and injury updates.
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE DEVILS BLOG

PRE-GAME STORY

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -
The Devils held an optional morning skate Friday at Los Angeles' Staples Center, but one noteworthy participant was defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
The veteran blueliner suffered an undisclosed injury against Anaheim Tuesday night, missing the entire second and third period. Hamilton, who hasn't been ruled out for tonight, also missed the team's Thursday practice, but was back on the ice Friday morning and is listed as day-to-day.
"The fact that he was able to get back on the ice today puts him in a good place for us," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I'll get a report from the trainers on how's he's going. We'll see where he's at."
Heavy Opposition
The Los Angeles Kings' style of play can best be described as "heavy." That means that they opt for a more physical and imposing game as opposed to playing a speed attack. Their lineup is filled with big, strong players, led by 6-foot-3, 225-pound forward Anze Kopitar, that prefer to assert their will on opponents.
"They're a team that plays a heavy game," Ruff said. "We know what they bring. They're a very determined defensive team. Our 5-on-5 play has been good as well. It's going to be a battle to get inside and make sure we're creating the opportunities that we can create."
Getting inside (or within the hashmarks, slot and crease) will be a challenge for the Devils, who haven't been able to establish much in the way of a net-front presence so far this season. One key for the Devils will be winning wall battles and then using their speed to outrace the Kings to the inside.
"We're going to have to be quick in the O-zone," Ruff said. "We're going to have to beat them in 1-on-1 battles off the walls. If we can create some opportunities by having our guys beat their guys to net-front."
The Devils could also take a slightly counterintuitive approach by keeping a high F-3 in the offensive zone. That would extend the Kings' man-on-man coverage and create gaps lower in the zone to make plays. It would "force them a little bit out of their comfort zone," Ruff said.
"You get your defense involved in a certain amount of risk which can create some issues when you're in man-on-man coverage," he added.
Net-Front
The Devils have been working to establish a presence at the net-front against teams all season.
"We have to get inside to be there for the rebounds. We have to win our battles," forward Tomas Tatar said. "It's a tough job, but it's how you win the games. It's on all of us in the locker room. We have to all do it and not just someone. It's going to be a focus for today."
With the NHL's attempt to crack down on cross-checks, particularly some that take place when battling for a net-front, defensemen have adapted a little bit by opting to get in front of players instead of roughing them out of the way.
"A little more where teams aren't engaging one-on-one. They're fronting pucks instead of playing man-on-man," Ruff said of adjustments. "You have an opposition defenseman that's actually stepping in front of our player, hoping to pick that off, block it and turn that into offense. I've noticed teams going with more of a fronting tactic instead of trying to engage and tie a guy up."
But that doesn't mean that forwards have been skating easily through the dirty areas.
"It's not an easy area. I feel like we need to score more, especially me too," Tatar said. "Battle for a rebound. There are a lot of pucks in that area. That's why it's the dirty area. Once you beat your guy there, you have a good chance."
--Sam Kasan, NewJerseyDevils.com

PREVIEW

DEVILS (4-3-1) vs. KINGS (4-5-1)
TV:10:30 p.m. ET: Televised exclusively on ESPN+
Head-to-Head:
This is the first meeting between the Kings and Devils since February 29, 2020, where LA won 2-1 in overtime. The two clubs will finish this season's series in New Jersey on January 23, 2022.
Devils Team Scope:
New Jersey plays the second game of its three game road trip, after losing to the Anaheim Ducks 4-0 on Tuesday.
Forwards Andreas Johnsson and Pavel Zacha are tied for most goals (4) and points (6). Defenseman Dougie Hamilton joins the forwards in the tie for points-leader (2G-4A). Hamilton is also the team's assists leader with four of his teammates in a tie for second.
Jonathan Bernier played his second game back from a lower body injury on Tuesday. Before the game against Anaheim, the Devils removed Mackenzie Blackwood from the IR, where he backed up Bernier. Bernier is 3-1-0 with a 2.74 GAA and .907 save percentage, while Blackwood hasn't made his season debut yet.
Scott Wedgewood, who joined the team at the start of the California trip, was put on waivers November 3rd and was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes on November 4th.
Kings Team Scope:
Los Angeles plays the fifth game of a five-game homestead, most recently beating the St. Louis Blues in a shootout on Wednesday. The Kings have a three game win streak going into the game against the Devils.
Center Anze Kopitar is the Kings goals (7), assists (6), and points (13) leader. Kopitar most recently had two points (1G, 1A) against the Buffalo Sabres on Halloween. In his last five games he has four points (1G, 3A).
Goaltender Jonathan Quick is 2-3-1 through six starts, and has a 2.47 GAA and .915 save percentage. Cal Peterson has started four games for the Kings. He has a 2-2-0 record with a 3.28 GAA and .895 save percentage.
By the Numbers:
Over the last five games for the Kings, Alex Iafallo has six points (3G, 3A), bringing his overall points total to nine (4G, 5A). The winger is eight games away from 300 games played in the NHL.
Devils forward Alex Holtz, who joined New Jersey on Thursday, comes to the NHL after scoring five goals through four games with the Utica Comets (AHL). If Holtz plays against the L.A. Kings, it will be the winger's NHL debut.
Injury Updates:
Devils
Hughes (upper-body)
Wood (undisclosed)
Kings
Doughty (injured reserve)
Walker (injured reserve)
--Catherine Bogart, NJD.TV