Los Angeles @ New Jersey preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 5, 2019 ) Los Angeles 5, New Jersey 1

The New Jersey Devils limped into the All-Star break with losses in six of eight games before returning to cobble together a season high-tying five-game point streak (2-0-3). The Devils aim to continue their positive momentum on Saturday when they open a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings.

Blake Coleman scored his team-leading 20th goal just 13 seconds into Thursday's contest and Mackenzie Blackwood turned aside all 46 shots he faced -- including 37 over the final two periods -- in New Jersey's 5-0 victory over Philadelphia. "That can take the wind out of the sails, scoring on the first shot," the 28-year-old Coleman said of his quick strike. "Anytime you can put a team on its heels early, it's going to create that confidence and put a little doubt in their minds." Los Angeles enjoyed a fast start on Thursday before yielding three goals in the third period of a 5-3 setback to the New York Islanders, marking the club's eighth loss in its last nine games (1-7-1). "We've got to learn to play with the lead," Kings defenseman Alec Martinez said. "You have to keep making plays. We can't afford to blow leads like that."

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: FS West, MSG-Plus

ABOUT THE KINGS (19-31-5): California native Trevor Moore is expected to make his Kings debut after being traded from Toronto on Wednesday in a deal that involved backup goaltender Jack Campbell. "I'm looking forward to it," the 24-year-old Moore said. "I was a Kings fan, for sure. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't special, for sure. It's the team that I grew up watching, we had season seats, where I got my love of the game. To put this practice jersey on here today, to be a part of this, it's surreal, it's awesome." Goaltender Calvin Petersen, who was summoned from Ontario of the American Hockey League after the trade with the Maple Leafs, is expected to draw his first NHL start of the season on Saturday.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (19-24-10): Miles Wood recorded his first multi-goal performance since Dec. 18, 2017, on Thursday to boost his goal total to three in his last two games and 10 on the season. "I absolutely know I can do more than that," the 24-year-old Wood told NJ Advance Media. "I've gone through some pains here and there on trying to score, trying to get back to that 20-goal mark. That's my goal each year, to try to hit that mark, and I feel like with the chances that I get, I should be there very consistently." Defenseman Damon Severson has been rather consistent since returning from the All-Star break, collecting two goals and three assists during a five-game point streak.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles C Alex Iafallo has erupted for six goals in his last seven games.

2. New Jersey also recorded a five-game point streak (4-0-1) from Dec. 23-Jan. 2.

3. The Kings have lost nine of 12 decisions (3-7-2) against Metropolitan Division representatives.

PREDICTION: Devils 4, Kings 2