Devils Defeat Kings 3-1 at Prudential Center

What we said beforehand

The New Jersey Devils will face off against the Los Angeles Kings on October 24, 2026, at the Prudential Center. This matchup is particularly intriguing as the Devils have been performing well at home, boasting a record of 6-4-0, while the Kings have struggled on the road with a 2-4-2 record. The Devils are currently riding a two-game winning streak, having recently secured victories against the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche, with scores of 4-1 and 4-3, respectively. In contrast, the Kings have shown some signs of improvement, winning their last two games against the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders, with scores of 5-2 and 3-2 in overtime.

The Devils have averaged 3.3 goals scored and 3.1 goals allowed per game at home, while the Kings have averaged 2.4 goals scored and 3.6 goals allowed in their away games. The Devils' offensive leaders include Nico Hischier, who has scored 5 goals, and Jack Hughes, who leads the team with 8 assists and 11 points. For the Kings, Artemi Panarin has been the standout player, netting 6 goals and accumulating 9 points.

In terms of their head-to-head meetings, the Devils have won the last two encounters against the Kings. In their most recent matchup on March 14, 2026, the Devils triumphed with a score of 6-4, and earlier in the season, they defeated the Kings 4-1 on November 2, 2025. This history could play a role in the confidence of both teams as they prepare for this game.

Injury concerns could impact both teams as well. The Devils will be without Connor Hellebuyck, who is out for non-injury-related reasons, and Seamus Casey is on injured reserve due to a knee injury. The Kings have several players on injured reserve, including Alex Turcotte, Jakub Dvorak, Jan Jenik, and Kevin Fiala, while Quinton Byfield is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. The absence of key players could affect the dynamics of the game.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has set the odds with the Devils favored at -185 on the money line, while the Kings are at +154. The spread is set at -1.5 for the Devils, and the total for the game is 5.5, with over odds at -122.0 and under odds at +102.0. These odds reflect the current expectations for the matchup, considering the recent performances of both teams.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how the Devils leverage their home advantage and whether the Kings can overcome their road struggles. The performance of the goaltenders will also be crucial, especially with the Devils missing their starting goalie. With both teams looking to build momentum, this game promises to be an exciting encounter in the NHL.