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Devils try to get back on track in LA

Sat 10th, January 2009

(Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils will try to avoid losing three straight games for the first time in nearly two months when they visit the Los Angeles Kings for an interconference matchup at Staples Center.

The Devils, who are third in the Atlantic Division with 49 points, have lost two in a row after winning four of their previous five contests. The club hasn't dropped three consecutive tilts since a four-game slide from November 8-14.

Jersey is also beginning its longest road trip of the season tonight, as it makes the first of six stops away from the Garden State. The Devils are 10-6-2 as the visiting team this year and have won three of their last five road tests.

The Devils were in action Thursday night in Newark and were shut out by visiting Atlanta. Kari Lehtonen made 29 saves to record his first shutout of the season and 12th of his career, as the Thrashers downed New Jersey, 4-0, at the Prudential Center.

Kevin Weekes replaced Scott Clemmensen, who was making his 13th consecutive start between the pipes for New Jersey, at the outset of the third period after Clemmensen allowed three goals on 19 shots. Weekes made four saves the rest of the way for the Devils.

Meanwhile, the Kings are coming off a split in a home-and-home series with the rival Anaheim Ducks. LA lost 3-1 in Tuesday's game at Anaheim, but responded with a victory two days later on its home ice.

Alexander Frolov scored the game-winning goal to go with an assist, as the Kings spoiled Bobby Ryan's natural hat trick with Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Ducks at Staples Center.

Down 3-0 late in the second, Ryan, who was picked after Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby in the 2005 NHL Draft, tallied three goals in a span of 2:21 to tie the game at three. It was the youngster's first career hat trick in his 47th NHL game.

However, Frolov's marker at 7:43 of the third period would put the Kings ahead for good.

Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar each had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who have won two of three. Jonathan Quick surrendered three goals on 27 shots in the win for LA.

Tonight's test marks the second portion of a four-game homestand for LA, which is 12-8-6 as the host this season. The Kings have won two straight on home ice after dropping their previous four tilts as the host.

New Jersey has won three of four and six of the last 10 meetings with the Kings, but has dropped two of three in Los Angeles.