Los Angeles Kings make comeback to North America, begin road trip with New Jersey Devils-NHL Preview
Kings have been out of National Hockey League (NHL) region for quite a while now and it will certainly feel good when Los Angeles faces-off against New Jersey Devils for their first match in the North American continent on Thursday, October 13, 2011, at
the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Los Angeles was a part of the 2011 NHL Compuware Premier series which had them along with a number of other team’s face-off with foreign clubs in Finland, Switzerland and Germany.
LA coach, Terry Murray, expressed his happiness in how his team has reacted to the travelling and constant moving so far.
"When I saw the players on the ice today, it was a clear indication that we've readjusted to North American time" Murray told the Kings' website. "There was a lot of energy, enthusiasm and jump on the ice in the practice. So we have to assume, I think, that
everything is OK".
Devils on the other hand will be looking for their second straight victory of the new 2011-2012 regular season, coming out of a dominating victory over Carolina Hurricanes earlier on Monday.
Feeling confident with their training camp and new acquisitions, New Jersey head coach, Peter Deboer, thinks they can continue winning.
"It's exciting", DeBoer said about using the new techniques in upcoming matches. "It's nice, I'm glad. You put in a lot of work over the summer in meetings and through training camp. It's nice to win".
Devils newly appointed captain, Zach Parise, is flying high for the team by having played in their first two matchups and put up two points, both being valuable goals when they needed them the most.
Kings also have a secret weapon of their own in the form of 24-year-old, Anze Kopitar, who is their highest scoring player on the team and has definitely impressed match after match.
In two regular season contests so far, Kopitar has registered four points (3 goals, 1 assist), which makes him of monument importance. Last season, Jesenice, Slovenia native, failed to appear in the playoffs, which ultimately handicapped Kings from progressing.
Devils will be playing without centre, Travis Zajac, who at the moment is out with a torn Achilles tendon and is on injured reserve. Adam Larsson, their top entry draft pick of this year might also be out after going out in their last match against Carolina
with what seemed like a groin injury.
Kings will be missing forward player, Dustin Penner, who is out with a lower body injury and did not play in their first two season matchups, but is rumoured to make a comeback with his team on Thursday.
Both teams are eyeing those two valuable points to move up in ranks in their respective divisions and conferences, making the upcoming match a highly intense and rivalry filled one.
Missing out on it would only mean losing out on even which could potentially create history.
Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils are scheduled to begin playing at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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