The NHL has only one game on the schedule for the first day of 2025 and it includes two teams heading in different directions entering this game. For the Los Angeles Kings, they are set to play their third straight home game and are looking for their third straight win as they beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 and the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are in the middle of a five game road trip and coming off back-to-back losses to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday and then a bad loss to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 yesterday.
Key to Victory: Win the 3rd Period
When looking back at the first meeting between these two teams, a game the Devils won 3-1 on December 12th, the two teams were evenly matched for most of the first two periods. They would be scoreless after one and then tied with a goal apiece at the end of the second period.
However, in the third period the Devils were able to control most of the action and Jack Hughes gave the Devils the lead before Brett Pesce put it out of reach with a shorthanded goal.
This is pretty uncommon for the Kings as they have typically won the third period outscoring opponents 49-36 on the season and specifically at home still hold the advantage at 21-14.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Kings 4, New Jersey Devils 2
This game should be very similar to their first meeting as the two teams are pretty evenly matched. It is hard to imagine either team really getting a clear advantage or running away with this game.
However, as the Los Angeles Kings know long road trips are tough and the Devils are in the middle of a long trip. When considering they are playing the second of a back-to-back, it could be a very similar game script to the first meeting but the Kings benefit with a strong third period and an empty net goal to give them the victory and extend their win streak to three.