New Jersey @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 8, 2020 ) Los Angeles 0, New Jersey 3

The New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings reside in their cellar of their respective divisions, but both last-place clubs have been putting their best foot forward of late. The Devils and Kings aim to continue the respective strong surges at the other's expense on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

New Jersey enter its matinee match having seized at least a point in four straight games (3-0-1) and 12 of its last 15 (8-3-4), although those records could be even better had it protected an early two-goal lead in a 3-2 overtime loss in San Jose on Thursday. "We did a great job in the first 20 minutes, scored two goals and didn't give them a whole lot, but the next 40 wasn't really our best," Devils defenseman Damon Severson said. "They flipped the script on us. They brought it, we didn't." While lamenting losses was the norm earlier this season for Los Angeles, the club improved to 4-2-1 in its last seven after skating to a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. Jonathan Quick, who sat out that game in favor of Cal Petersen, is expected to get the nod after yielding just six goals in his last three starts (2-0-1).

TIME: 4 p.m. ET. TV: MSG-Plus, FS West

ABOUT THE DEVILS (25-27-11): Joey Anderson will see a familiar face at the other end of the ice on Saturday in his brother Mikey, who was recalled from Ontario of the American Hockey League. "The fact that I get to play against him when he makes his debut is awesome. That little big brother came out in me. I was excited for him," said the 21-year-old Joey Anderson, who noted that his family will be in attendance. Mackenzie Blackwood highlighted his 6-0-0 run with a .970 save percentage this month by turning aside all 37 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory on Feb. 8.

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-35-6): Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan knows a thing or two about Mikey Anderson after seeing him compete against his son, Tyson, who plays for the University of Denver. "I saw Mikey play last year, or over the last few years, a number of times. He was a factor in all of those college games," McLellan said. "He's a very steady player, positionally sound, a puck-mover. From an offensive perspective, nothing really flashy, but consistently getting pucks through from the point and finding open outlets." The 22-year-old Blake Lizotte, who isn't too far removed from his NHL debut, recorded his second career multi-point performance by scoring and setting up a goal against the Penguins.

OVERTIME

1. New Jersey RW Kyle Palmieri scored and set up a goal in the previous encounter versus Los Angeles after tallying twice in last season's series.

2. Kings captain Anze Kopitar has collected 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in his last dozen contests.

3. Devils LW Nikita Gusev has two goals and five assists during his four-game point streak.

PREDICTION: Devils 3, Kings 2