Devils Face LA in Ongoing Road Trip | Game Preview
As the New Jersey Devils prepare for their game against the Los Angeles Kings, several key developments are noteworthy. The matchup is set for 6:00 PM local time, or 9:00 PM Eastern. An optional skate took place on Saturday, although many players opted out.
Player Participation in Morning Skate
Only a handful of players participated in the morning session. The players included:
- Jesper Bratt
- Ondrej Palat
- Arseny Gritsyuk
- Paul Cotter
- Luke Glendening
- Juho Lammikko
- Brian Halonen
- Seamus Casey
- Dennis Cholowski
- Jake Allen (goalie)
Connor Brown’s Status
Head coach Sheldon Keefe addressed the absence of Connor Brown. Brown did not participate in Saturday’s skate and missed Friday’s practice. Keefe stated, “Brown, he’s not available today. He could be day-to-day, we’re hopeful he can bounce back from it pretty quickly.”
Possible Line Combinations
With Brown sidelined, Keefe suggested that the lines set during practice on Friday may reflect the lineup for tonight’s game. The anticipated lines are:
- Noesen – Hughes – Bratt
- Palat – Hischier – Gritsyuk
- Meier – Lammikko – Mercer
- Cotter – Glendening – Halonen
- Sigenthaler – Hamilton
- Dillon – Hughes
- Cholowski – Nemec
Markstrom’s Contract Extension
Coach Keefe did not confirm the starting goaltender for the game. However, with Jacob Markstrom not skating, there is speculation that Allen may start. Markstrom recently signed a two-year contract extension, expressing gratitude towards the ownership group and fans, stating, “To know where you’re gonna be and to keep playing and representing the New Jersey Devils.”
Looking Ahead
As game time approaches, the Devils look to build on their strategy and adapt to the absence of key players. Fans and players alike are eager for a strong performance against the Kings. The anticipation is high as this ongoing road trip continues to unfold.
