Kings face big challenges with next three on road

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Today: Kings at Devils, 4 p.m., BSW

goal Tuesday and joined coach Todd McLellan in suggesting a more direct approach offensively than they took at times Monday, when McLellan felt they tried to be too fine with their passing.

“Try to simplify, not trying to be too cute, get a lot of stuff towards the net. The goal we scored, it was maybe a foot from the goal line where I got it,” Kopitar said. “Sometimes when things are not going in, just try to get it there and create something off a scramble.”

McLellan mixed and matched his forwards as Tuesday's match progressed, giving opportunities to some talented players who had been slotted lower in the lineup.

“We have four lines that can score, or a considerable number of players on those lines that can score. Some guys were creating chances, others weren't, so we were looking for the best offensive combinations we could find,” Mclellan said. “Our team right now is deep, it's not built the traditional way because you've got some scoring wingers on the third or fourth line, and we're trying to find them opportunities to leave their mark on the game.”

With the back-to-back situation, there could be more shuffling between lines and even insofar as who dresses and who sits. Goaltender Phoenix Copley, who was saddled with the loss Tuesday, and Jonathan Quick, who recently earned his first two victories since Dec. 1, project to split duties. Similarly, Alex Edler and Tobias Bjornfot figure to each get a game as the left defenseman on the third pairing. There was no on-ice work for the Kings on Wednesday, but they've done some juggling on the wings. Arthur Kaliyev was scratched for performance reasons Saturday but returned Tuesday, Brendan Lemieux played his first game of February on Saturday, only to be back in the pressbox Tuesday, and Jaret Anderson-Dolan had sat in three straight games in a decision that McLellan said was very difficult.

The Devils enter the matchup mostly healthy, having won two of three games since the return of star center Jack Hughes from injury.