Game 41: Devils 5, Kings 1

Last night's game is a prime example of the type of team the Kings should strive to be. The Devils lost All-Universe goaltender Martin Brodeur to injury this season, and they've been playing ahead of many people's expectations. I know I'm shocked to see them at 24-14, because I thought this team was a one-trick pony. Boy, was I wrong.

The Kings lived up to the 2008-09 slogan: Pride+Passion=Power. They won the faceoff battle, outshot and out-hit the Devils. The Kings just ran into a more experienced team. The two goals four seconds apart weren't Jonathon Quick's fault. The NHL's 18th-ranked power play beat out the Kings' penalty killers, which is rannked 12th.

Looks like Murray better keep juggling lines. I thought this game's would've been closer. But oh well... The difference between these two teams is familiarity, the Devils have been around each other for quite a run, the Kings are just starting down that road. If there is a franchise that I'd pattern my team after, the Devils would have to be in the conversation.

BTW, if you get a chance, head over to LAKings.com, and check out last night's extended interview with Terry Murray, who answered a million fan questions on the air. I'd provide a link, but I couldn't dig one up.

• AP: Devils get 3 on power play in 5-1 win over Kings

• LA Times: Kings get overpowered by Devils

• Sports Network: Devils score three on power play in win over Kings

• Yahoo: Team report

“Change is necessary right now,” Murray said. “We need to try to find ways to score goals. We talk about it quite a bit. Some things are looking pretty good, when it comes to the offensive part of the game, but there’s a need to put a real focus on it, so we’ll see how things go.”

They said it

"They are a tough team to beat. They've done it for a number of years now where they just wait for you to make a mistake and they're very defensive minded; but then again you look at their forwards and they play hard. So once you make a mistake they have some weapons to put it in the back of the net." – Kings forward Brian Boyle

Looking through purple-hued goggles

• A Queen Among Kings: Snafu Part II

The one positive that sticks out in my mind is Brian Boyle. With every game he's slowly getting more physical and more imposing. I know management wanted him to get his game going by using his massive body more to his advantage, and I think he's understand how exactly to do that. He had four resounding hits during the game and his skating has definitely gotten stronger. Go Boyle.

• Purple Crushed Velvet: Kings 1, Devils 5: Soooooooo Terrible

• Frozen Royalty: Undisciplined Kings Can’t Find Front of Net In 5-1 Loss To Devils

Coming into the game, the Devils scored just five power play goals on 36 attempts in their previous nine games (13.9% rating). They scored three times on seven power play chances in this game, a 42.9% rating; The Kings outhit the Devils in the game, 36-19; Kings right wing Dustin Brown recorded seven hits in the game; The Kings reached the halfway point of the season on Saturday night. They are 17-18-6 (40 points) after 41 games. After 41 games last season, the Kings were 15-24-2 (32 points).

From the other side of the ice: the New Jersey view



• NJ.com: Devils' start longest road trip of the season with a potent power play

• NJ.com: Devils' Rupp warns opponents: Leave our stars alone

• Devils Daily: Finally A Win for the Devils

• Interchangable Parts: A Super Saturday In The Life Of IPB

• In Lou We Trust: That's just what they needed

• 2ManAdvantage: Devils@Kings LIVECAP

Kings-related news

• Yahoo's Puck Daddy: LA Kings fans honor Giguere, Pronger in bathroom urinals

Upon entering the men's room between periods last night at the Kings-Ducks game (to the ad wizards: 'Freeway Face off') in the Staples Center, I noticed several urinals were open, yet one in particular had a sizeable line. Having to vacate the bladder posthaste, I didn't question it and made a beeline to an unoccupied basin.  I couldn't make it out clearly until mid-stream, but I was pissing on J.S. Giguere. Turns out the long line was for the one that hosted Pronger.

• The Bleacher Report: Not So Superstar Spotlight, Volume One: Kyle Quincey

• The Cult of Hockey: Lombardi "smartest head in hockey"

• HockeyBuzz: Kat Kealy: The Great Shake-Up in LA

Tonight’s game in LA was the first I’ve attended where I could feel an earthquake. It was a 5.0 about 55 miles away from Staples Center, so those I talked to who were on the first level or the basement during the game did not feel the shaking. Of course, the press box in Staples Center is one of the highest (if not the highest) in the NHL, so it’s no wonder we felt the shake where we were sitting.

• Inside Hockey: Kings tweak lineup, hold steady

Peeping the dailies