Devils dominate Kings 4-1 on the road as Markstrom shines and Mercer shines on short-handed goals

The New Jersey Devils delivered a resounding statement on the road, dismantling the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 at Crypto.com Arena on November 1, 2025. After enduring a brief two-game skid that saw them surrender 13 goals, the Devils bounced back with authority behind Jacob Markstrom’s stellar 43-save performance and a pair of short-handed goals from Dawson Mercer. The victory improved New Jersey’s record to 9-3-0 while snapping Los Angeles’ seven-game point streak and extending the Kings’ troubling home winless streak to 0-3-2.

This contest showcased the Devils’ resilience and special teams excellence, with their penalty kill going a perfect 4-for-4 while generating two goals in the process. For the Kings, offensive struggles continued to plague them as they managed just one goal despite outshooting the visitors significantly. The game marked a triumphant return to form for Markstrom, who was coming off an eight-goal shellacking against Colorado just days earlier.

Markstrom’s redemption performance after contract extension

Jacob Markstrom turned back the clock with a vintage performance just one day after signing a two-year, $12 million contract extension with the Devils. The 35-year-old Swedish netminder faced constant pressure from the Kings’ offense, making 43 saves and looking sharp throughout the contest. His performance was a stark contrast to his previous outing against Colorado, where he allowed eight goals in a lopsided defeat.

Markstrom’s positioning and rebound control were exceptional, particularly during Los Angeles’ sustained offensive pushes in the second and third periods. The Kings peppered him with 44 shots total, but the veteran goalkeeper remained calm and composed, denying quality chances from dangerous areas. His sprawling saves and timely poke checks disrupted numerous Kings’ scoring opportunities.

The contract extension clearly energized the veteran netminder, who has been crucial to New Jersey’s strong start to the season. “It’s unbelievable,” Dawson Mercer said about Markstrom’s performance. “They had a lot of shots there, and ‘Marky,’ he’s played really well and it all came in good moments. Get the win, have an unbelievable game like that, ‘Marky’ did, and then have that contract signed and we have him for a few more years now, we’re really excited.”

The performance against Los Angeles marked Markstrom’s 25th career victory with the Devils and demonstrated why management felt confident in securing his services for two additional seasons. His ability to bounce back from adversity, particularly after the Colorado debacle, speaks volumes about his mental fortitude and professionalism. The Devils will need this version of Markstrom consistently if they hope to maintain their position near the top of the Metropolitan Division standings.

Mercer’s short-handed heroics lead offensive charge

Dawson Mercer stole the show offensively for New Jersey, recording his second consecutive two-goal game with a pair of short-handed tallies that buried the Kings’ comeback hopes. The 23-year-old forward now has seven goals on the season, leading the Devils in that category, and has compiled five goals during an impressive three-game scoring streak. His performance also etched his name into franchise history alongside Alexander Semak as just the second Devils player to score multiple short-handed goals in a single game.

Mercer’s first goal came at 3:09 of the third period during a 2-on-1 rush while New Jersey was killing a penalty. Reading the defensive coverage perfectly, Mercer opted to shoot rather than pass, unleashing a wrist shot from the left face-off circle that beat Darcy Kuemper cleanly. “Whenever you get to get in that close, to have that opportunity to get a shot, it’s great,” Mercer explained. “I want to take it and not force the play, but definitely reading how the defenseman reads it, flip it over or take the shot.”

His second short-handed marker came in unusual fashion at 16:12 of the third period, with the Kings on the power play and their goaltender pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage. Mercer seized the opportunity and fired the puck from deep in the New Jersey zone into the empty net, effectively sealing the victory. The goal showcased both his confidence and ice awareness in critical situations.

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe praised Mercer’s complete game and the trust the coaching staff has in him during crucial moments. “That’s three empty-netters, maybe, he has now, and that comes from a good process and being on a good team that’s in a situation for the other team to pull their goalie,” Keefe noted. Mercer’s ability to contribute in all situations—5-on-5, penalty kill, and empty-net scenarios—has made him an invaluable asset to New Jersey’s offensive arsenal. His hot streak couldn’t come at a better time for a Devils team looking to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

Halonen’s milestone moment in Devils victory

Twenty-six-year-old forward Brian Halonen experienced a career-defining moment when he scored his first NHL goal at 3:12 of the second period. The undrafted forward, who had appeared in just 12 NHL games across three seasons, finally broke through with a sharp-angle shot that beat Kuemper glove side off the rush. The goal extended New Jersey’s lead to 2-0 and provided the cushion the Devils needed.

Halonen’s journey to this moment exemplifies perseverance and patience. After brief call-ups in each of the previous two seasons where he played just two games each time, the Finnish forward earned a more regular role this fall following Connor Brown’s injury. His goal came in his first game back in the lineup, making the moment even more special for the veteran minor-leaguer who has spent years honing his craft in the AHL.

The emotion was evident in Halonen’s postgame comments as he reflected on the significance of his first goal. “Obviously, it’s a very proud moment,” Halonen said. “It’s something that means a lot more than not just to yourself, but to your parents that did everything to get you here, and your family and your coaches along the way. And there’s a lot of people that go into it and just happy for them.”

His goal wasn’t just a personal triumph but also provided crucial secondary scoring for New Jersey. With Brown sidelined with an undisclosed injury after a surprising start with five goals, Halonen’s ability to step up and contribute immediately gives the Devils valuable depth. The sharp-angle finish demonstrated the offensive instincts that have made him productive at lower levels, and if he can continue to provide this type of production, he may have secured a more permanent roster spot.

Hischier ends drought as Hughes reaches milestone

Captain Nico Hischier got the Devils on the board early, ending a frustrating seven-game goal drought just 1:22 into the first period. The Swiss forward redirected a point shot from Luke Hughes past Kuemper for his third goal of the season, setting the tone for New Jersey’s dominant performance. The early strike was crucial in establishing momentum, as the Devils have been remarkably successful when scoring first this season, boasting a perfect 6-0-0 record in such situations.

Hischier’s goal was more than just a drought-buster; it demonstrated the chemistry developing between the Devils’ forward corps and their young defensive stars. His ability to find space in front of the net and get his stick on Hughes’ long-range shot exemplified the type of coordinated offensive play that has made New Jersey one of the league’s most dangerous teams. The captain’s leadership and willingness to battle in high-traffic areas continues to set the standard for his teammates.

The assist on Hischier’s goal was particularly significant for Luke Hughes, as it represented the 100th point of his young NHL career. Reaching this milestone in just 167 games makes Hughes the second-fastest defenseman to 100 points in franchise history, trailing only Barry Beck who needed 137 games. The 21-year-old blueliner has emerged as a dynamic offensive force from the back end, showcasing elite skating ability and puck-moving skills.

Hughes’ rapid development has been one of the most encouraging storylines for New Jersey this season. As the Devils traveled to Los Angeles for this pivotal West Coast matchup, his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility has become increasingly important. His 100-point milestone is just the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional career, and his chemistry with players like Hischier will be crucial as the Devils push toward playoff contention.

Kings’ home struggles and offensive woes continue

The Los Angeles Kings’ disappointing home performance extended to an alarming 0-3-2 record at Crypto.com Arena, raising serious concerns about their ability to protect their own ice. After building momentum with a seven-game point streak on the road, the Kings looked flat and uninspired in front of their home crowd, managing just one goal on 44 shots against a Devils team that had allowed 13 goals in its previous two games.

Despite outshooting New Jersey significantly, the Kings couldn’t solve Markstrom with any consistency. Their lone goal came from Andrei Kuzmenko at 9:49 of the third period, a chip shot off Anze Kopitar’s centering pass that briefly gave Los Angeles hope of a comeback. However, the goal came far too late in the game to truly threaten New Jersey’s comfortable lead, and Mercer’s second short-handed goal minutes later extinguished any remaining momentum.

Captain Anze Kopitar didn’t mince words when addressing the team’s struggles after the loss. “I don’t think we’re scoring many goals, obviously,” Kopitar said. “There’s not enough dirty goals, if you will. We’re not very good on special teams, and (that) usually translates into losses.” His assessment was accurate—the Kings’ power play went 0-for-4 and actually surrendered two short-handed goals to Mercer during the game.

The special teams collapse was particularly damaging for a Kings team that generated plenty of offensive zone time but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves but faced relatively few dangerous chances, as New Jersey’s defensive structure limited Los Angeles to perimeter shots and low-percentage opportunities. For a team with playoff aspirations, these home struggles must be addressed quickly. The combination of offensive inconsistency and special teams failures creates a dangerous pattern that will be difficult to overcome if it continues throughout the season.

Devils’ penalty kill perfection makes the difference

New Jersey’s penalty kill was nothing short of spectacular, going 4-for-4 against a Kings power play that desperately needed to generate momentum. More impressively, the Devils didn’t just survive their time shorthanded—they thrived, scoring twice while down a man. This aggressive penalty-killing approach turned what could have been a liability into one of New Jersey’s most effective weapons.

The Devils’ shorthanded success wasn’t merely opportunistic; it reflected a well-coached, aggressive system that forces turnovers and creates odd-man rushes. Mercer’s two short-handed goals were the culmination of strong forechecking pressure and smart reads by the penalty-killing units. The forwards stayed active in the offensive zone even while shorthanded, preventing the Kings from establishing their power-play structure and creating chaos that led to scoring chances.

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe emphasized the importance of the penalty kill in the postgame presser. “We got the kills,” he said. “All these things, our guys had to be resilient. You know all that leads to a good road win.” The resilience Keefe mentioned was evident throughout the game, as the Devils never seemed rattled by the Kings’ pressure or the hostile road environment.

This performance continues a positive trend for New Jersey’s special teams, which have been a strength throughout their strong start to the season. The ability to not just survive but excel while shorthanded gives the Devils confidence to play an aggressive style without fear of penalties derailing their momentum. Against a Kings team that has struggled offensively, the perfect penalty kill was the difference between a comfortable victory and a potential nail-biter. As the season progresses, this type of special teams excellence will be crucial in tight games against elite competition.

Looking ahead for both teams

The Devils’ victory sets them up well as they continue their California road trip, with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. With their record improved to 9-3-0, New Jersey has demonstrated impressive depth and resilience, bouncing back from adversity with a complete team performance. The quick turnaround gives little time for celebration, but the confidence gained from this dominant showing should carry over into the next game.

For New Jersey, maintaining consistency will be crucial as the season enters its second month. The team has shown it can dominate opponents when firing on all cylinders, as evidenced by their early eight-game winning streak. However, the brief two-game skid served as a reminder that lapses in defensive structure can be costly. If Markstrom can maintain the form he displayed in Los Angeles and the offense continues to get contributions from throughout the lineup, the Devils look poised to contend for a top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

The Kings, meanwhile, face a critical juncture in their season. Hosting the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Los Angeles desperately needs to solve its home-ice woes before the losses pile up and playoff positioning becomes jeopardized. The offensive struggles are concerning, particularly the inability to generate quality scoring chances despite significant shot volume. Coach Jim Hiller will need to find solutions quickly, whether through lineup adjustments, system tweaks, or a renewed emphasis on net-front presence.

The contrast between these two teams’ trajectories couldn’t be more stark. While the Devils continue to build chemistry and confidence, the Kings are searching for answers to fundamental problems that threaten to derail their season. Los Angeles has the talent to turn things around, but time is not on their side. Each home loss digs a deeper hole in the standings, and with the Pacific Division looking competitive this season, the Kings cannot afford to continue squandering points at Crypto.com Arena. For New Jersey, this game served as a perfect reminder of what they’re capable of when all facets of their game come together—and that’s a frightening proposition for the rest of the league.