Devils Take the Matinee Against L.A., 3-1

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 24: Brett Pesce #22 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal during the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings on October 24, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Strong hustle to the puck carrier and another strong defensive performance gave the Devils their fifth win out of their last six games.As I mentioned in my preview, I was a little worried about this game. Specifically, I was concerned that a Kings team playing better than they should could come into New Jersey to steal a trap game against the Devils. A sluggish start to the game didn’t exactly instill confidence, particularly after the Kings took a 1-0 lead in the second period.Eventually though, the Devils locked in, out-shot another opponent, and took the win.Let’s go to the tape.First PeriodThe first several minutes of the first period had the feeling of two teams feeling each other out. The Devils were slow to get their offense going, looking very much like they did at the beginning of their last game against Anaheim.The first bit of drama was a hooking call on Pesce at 3:09 that the Devils killed off quite well. There was urgency toward the Kings’ puck carriers, and even a bit of a forecheck during their breakouts. During the power play, the Kings managed only a single open shot attempt by former-Devil Erik Haula, which went wide of the net. In the end, the Devils didn’t give up a single shot on goal while down a man.The Devils managed a bit of offensive pressure beginning at about the 6:00 mark, with Timo causing trouble in front of the net again. Jack had a handful of good chances, including one with Grits, but opted for a slick pass attempt that was blocked by a sliding Kings defender.The second half of the period saw a bit more action on both ends of the ice, with the Devils getting a power play at 15:58 on a tripping call against Brian Dumoulin. It wasn’t until this power play that the Devils managed to get their first shots on net, fueled by good puck movement at the top of the circles between Hamilton, Siegenthaler, and Bratt, and a strong move to the net by Evangelista that resulted in two or three quick shots in close. Alas, the Devils couldn’t convert on their man advantage and the period ended with no score. Strong forecheck. Increasing offensive pressure. But no goals just yet. Onto the second.Second PeriodThe Devils started the second period faster than they started the first, generating offense shortly after the faceoff. Again, it looks like they are making a concerted effort to move big bodies in front of the net. Early in the period, Timo moved to the crease several times, including once when Dougie seemed to wait to shoot until there was a screen in front.Luke Evangelista carried the puck across the front of the crease after a slick pass by Brendan Dillon, but couldn’t slip the puck fivehole through Forsberg. The Devils got a few more good scoring chances a few minutes later, when Jack dangled in front of the net, trying to wait Forsberg out, ultimately putting the puck into his right pad. Just seconds later, Jack had a wide-open net on a one-timer attempt that he partially fanned on, allowing Forsberg to get back across the crease.Shortly after, at 13:25, Jack was tripped, yielding the Devils’ second power play of the day. The Devils immediately got a good chance, getting the puck behind Forsberg, but it was pulled off the goal line by Kings’ winger Joel Armia. The power play looked good in terms of puck movement, but the Kings did a good job of plugging the cross-ice passing lanes down low, and Forsberg absorbed any shots outside the dots. Like clockwork, shortly after the Kings killed the Devils’ power play, Scott Laughton (who had just taken the penalty) scored after being left wide open in the high slot. Although Allen was hung out to dry (Evan Rodrigues was coasting back into the zone behind Laughton), I would have liked to have seen a big save there, especially with the Devils xGA hovering around 0.35 for the period at that point. In any event, 1-0, them.About three minutes later, Anthony Mantha scored a filthy goal, dangling past two Kings to Forsberg’s right, then beating the goalie top-shelf, short side. The Devils had good traffic in front for this goal, provided by [checks notes] Jonas Siegenthaler?! Whatever works! The Devils dominated the second period in terms of possession and shots, getting rewarded in the final minutes. They went into the locker room for the second intermission tied, 1-1.Third PeriodAt the very beginning of the period, Jake Allen made the big save I had been hoping for earlier. Scott Laughton again walked in toward the net, moving from Allen’s left to his right. Allen bit on a fake, but recovered in time to throw out the backside of his blocker to keep the game tied. This was a massive save at a massive point in the game.Much of the first half of the period was relatively uneventful until 8:08, when Brett Pesce found himself with the puck at the top of the circle. A Los Angeles defender slid past him trying to block his shot, but Pesce waited for the defender to pass before firing the puck off the underside of Forsberg’s left pad and into the net. 2-1, Devils!Around 12:35, the Devils had another good chance as Nico Hischier powered his way to the front of the net to get a good shot off, but Forsberg made a strong glove save. A few seconds later, the Kings were awarded a power play on a ticky-tack tripping call on Timo Meier that was killed off with little drama. Immediately after the penalty expired, it appeared as though the Kings had scored to tie the game at 15:24. But the goal was immediately called off after it was shown to have come from a high stick.After some back and forth, the Kings pulled Forsberg with about two minutes to go in the game, but never mounted much pressure. Instead, Jack and Grits found themselves with a two-on-one the other way, with Grits burying the dagger off a clean feed from Jack. 3-1, Devils!Other than Luke going for a cheeky goal from behind his own goal line, the final minutes of the game went as expected, and the Devils got the 3-1 matinee victory over the Kings to win the fifth game out of their last six.Random ImpressionsCody Glass, Forechecking MachineThe more I see Cody Glass play, the happier I am that he is on the Devils. Throughout the game, Glass was forechecking like a madman, making it difficult for the Kings to break out of their own zone. A few times, he managed to pin two Kings behind their own goal line, simply due to his hustle to the puck. Although it won’t show up on the scoresheet, it’s these kinds of plays that lead to turnovers, and ultimately, goals.His game reminds me very much of a past fan favorite in the red and black – John Madden. Depending on how much time he gets on the penalty kill, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him start burying some shorthanded goals like Madden used to.Finding Shooting LanesOne of the big critiques of the Devils defensemen (particularly Luke Hughes) is that they struggle to get pucks through to the net. We’ve watched for seasons as defensemen shoot pucks directly into shin guards. Slowly but surely, that seems to be changing. Many of the Devils defensemen – particularly Dougie and Luke – are starting to get pucks through to the net.Several times during this game, Devils defensemen looked for lanes, waited for traffic, and put pucks on net at opportune times. Case-in-point, look at the Pesce goal in the third period. He waited for the defender to pass in front of him before firing, and was rewarded with a goal.If the traffic-in-front trend continues, I hope the defensemen continue to choose their spots the way they have been. Puck Pressure The Devils did a fantastic job in all phases of the game to put pressure on Kings puck carriers to force them to make plays. At even-strength and on the penalty kill, Devils forwards were forechecking and backchecking the Kings as they tried to break out, throwing a massive wrench in any playmaking they attempted.Even when they were forced to defend in their own zone, the Devils were quick to the puck, forcing the Kings to make fast decisions, often leading to turnovers that led to breaks the other way.In the past, I have mentioned how much I hate when the Devils collapse toward their own crease rather than attack the puck. This game was an excellent response to that critique. I’d love to see this kind of pressure continue. The Devils have the speed and the agility to force their opponents to make mistakes. It’s good to see them use it.Bunwatch 2026-27I don’t want to jinx anything, but the Devils are now 2-0-0 when Rachel sports The Bun.The Bun = Wins.Up Next and Final ThoughtsThe Devils take on the Stars in Dallas on Tuesday at 8:00PM Eastern, 7:00PM Central.Everyone enjoy the win and relish the fact that pretty soon, we will have an all-world goaltender available to play.Thanks for reading my first (!) recap, and let’s go, Devils!