Devils 1, Kings 0
NEWARK, N.J. -- Defenseman David Schlemko's power play goal 5:19 into the first period was all of the offense the New Jersey Devils would need in their 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Prudential Center on Sunday afternoon.
New Jersey improved to 29-21-7 with its third straight win. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid made 26 saves to knot his first NHL shutout.
Los Angeles fell to 33-19-3 with its second loss in its last four games.
Kings goaltender Jhonas Enroth made 18 saves.
Benefitting two of the league's pre-eminent defensive squads -- New Jersey is tied with Washington for the fewest goals allowed with 124; Los Angeles entered the game having surrendered the third fewest at 128 -- offense was at a premium.
The Kings finished the game having outshot the Devils, 26-18.
Schlemko opened and closed the scoring with a power-play goal 5:19 into the game. With left winger Joseph Blandisi providing a screen, Schlemko ripped a shot from the middle of the ice that Enroth did not see.
New Jersey was 1 for 3 on the power play, and the Devils killed Los Angeles' lone man-advantage.
The Devils had a golden opportunity late in the second period to extend their lead, but defenseman Alec Martinez used his stick blade to redirect right winger Lee Stempniak's shot on the power play.
Other than those instances, the majority of the game was relegated to the perimeter, leaving Kinkaid and Enroth with little in the way of work.
The announced attendance was 16,514.
NOTES: Los Angeles RW Marian Gaborik and G Jonathan Quick missed the game with lower-body injuries. Gaborik was put on the injured reserve Saturday after suffering an injury in the first period of Friday night's 5-4 overtime win against the Rangers in New York. He had played every game this season. Quick missed his second straight game. ... New Jersey scratched D Eric Gelinas, and LWs Tuomo Ruutu and Stefan Matteau. ... The Kings scratched D Jamie McBain and LW Andy Andreoff. ... The teams will meet once more this season, March 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. ... The Montreal Canadiens had two scouts listed on the Prudential Center press box seating chart. Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton also had scouts, along with Philadelphia Flyers president Paul Holmgren.