UPDATE: Read our blogs on Joey Anderson and Mikey Anderson going head-to-head today and the Devils recalling Jesper Boqviston Saturday afternoon.
EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Devils look to build on their streak of four straight games gaining at least a point in the standings as their road trip shifts to Southern California for the first of back-to-back games on Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Kings.
Although the team picked up a point on Thursday in San Jose, the feeling around the room was that they should have exited Silicon Valley with more than that after racing out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.
"We played good in the first period then got complacent. A little bit too many turnovers, not enough shots on net. We did a great job in the first 20 minutes, scored two goals and didn't give them a whole lot but the next 40 wasn't really our best. They flipped the script on us. They brought it, we didn't," stated Damon Severson. "Teams can play good for 20, 40 minutes but 10 minutes or even five minutes can hurt you in games."
Devils interim head coach Alain Nasreddine said that he went over some of the faults of last night's game prior to today's practice.
"To be honest, we addressed last night's game before practice so that was done with but as far as the pace of practice, we don't get to practice a whole lot so when we do get out there it's important to get the pace up."
SATURDAY'S LINEUP
The team is not expected to make any changes from Thursday's lineup with the expectation that the lineup will be:
Hughes - Hischier - Palmieri
Wood - Zajac - Anderson
Bratt - Zacha - Gusev
Rooney - McLeod - Hayden
Mueller - Subban
Mermis - Severson
Claesson - Carrick
The two goalies will split the weekend duties with Mackenzie Blackwood getting back between the pipes on Saturday against the Kings.
AFTER THE DEADLINE
With the NHL Trade Deadline having come and gone, it's a different atmosphere in the room with the group there now knowing that they'll be around until the end of the season.
Nasreddine talked about how that has an uplifting effect for the club.
"Having that stability really helps. Before the trade deadline there was that cloud over our heads, who was going to go. Once that was all done we can focus on our remaining games," he said, adding that it also creates opportunity as it has already for the likes of Nick Merkley, Mike McLeod, Joey Anderson, Josh Jacobs, Colton White, Dakota Mermis and Fredrik Claesson among others.
"It gives us the opportunity to bring some guys up from the American Hockey League. It's definitely helped."
ANDERSON VS. ANDERSON
Saturday's game will be a special one for Devils forward Joey Anderson, who will be facing off against his brother Mike. By coincidence, the game will be Mike's first career NHL game and by further coincidence, their entire family and extended family are in town.
"It's super exciting. We talked about this potentially happening and it gives me more excitement for him than anything I do," Joey said, adding that having the family there makes it extra special.
