Kings defeat Devils, end four-game losing streak

NEWARK, N.J. -- Peter Budaj made 24 saves to help the Los Angeles Kings end a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday.
Budaj, who has become the No. 1 goalie with Jonathan Quick (groin) out since the season opener on Oct. 12, won for the first time in four starts.
Anze Kopitar, Tanner Pearson and Alec Martinez scored in the first period, and Jeff Carter had two assists for the Kings (23-21-4).

WATCH: All Kings vs. Devils highlights
"It's nice to get back on board the winning side for a change," Pearson said. "We'd been struggling here a bit so this one's big. Hopefully we can carry it into out next game."
Kyle Quincey scored and Cory Schneider allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period for the Devils (20-20-9). Keith Kinkaid replaced Schneider to begin the second period and made 13 saves.
Schneider returned to the lineup after serving as backup for two straight games because of an illness.
"It wasn't so much about Cory as it was the team," Devils coach John Hynes said. "We gave up three quick goals and [Kinkaid] has played well so we switched it up. I thought Keith came in and did a good job."
Quincey's shot from the point deflected off the leg of Pearson in the slot to end Budaj's shutout bid 7:19 into the third period.
The Kings, who lost 3-2 at the New York Rangers on Monday despite taking 38 shots, took a 2-0 lead on four shots in the opening 1:46 of the first period against the Devils.
Kopitar scored a power-play goal 50 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead.
"I think I've been lacking in the shooting part of my game and I want to be a little bit more aggressive," Kopitar said. "Part of that is attacking off the half wall. I had some room and tried to get it on net and fortunate for me, it went in."
Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter has appreciated the effort Kopitar has put forth this season.
"He's one of the best players in the League," Sutter said. "He's on that level with [Jonathan] Toews and [Patrice] Bergeron, guys like that. He's an awesome player. Other than the goal scoring, I've had no problem with him."

Pearson made it 2-0 when he battled defenseman Steven Santini before scoring just inside the right post.
"When we're playing with a lead and executing our game plan, we're a pretty good hockey club and we did a good job of that [Tuesday]," Pearson said.
The Kings denied a 5-on-3 power play by the Devils for 1:44 midway through the first with Trevor Lewis (boarding) and Kopitar (hooking) in the penalty box.
Martinez made it 3-0 one second after a Devils penalty expired off a scramble in the crease 16:15 into the first.

Goal of the game

Kopitar scored his fifth goal through a maze of players off a snap shot from the right circle nine seconds into a power play.

Save of the game

Budaj made a glove save off a rebound attempt by Devils forward Jacob Josefson 8:05 into the third period with the Kings holding a 3-1 lead.

Highlight of the game

With Los Angeles ahead 3-0, defenseman Drew Doughty made a diving poke check against Devils left wing Taylor Hall on a 2-on-1 with Kyle Palmieri deep in his own end 49 seconds into the second period.

Unsung performance of the game

The Kings received a great effort from Carter, Doughty and Derek Forbort during a 5-on-3 advantage for the Devils midway through the first to maintain a 2-0 lead. Carter, Doughty and Forbort were on the ice to kill 1:25 of a 1:44 two-man advantage during which the Devils took three shots.
"That was a really important sequence," Sutter said.

They said it

"[Tuesday] was Kings hockey. It was a good effort for 60 minutes. Maybe in the past we were lacking and had some collapses for 5-to-10 minutes and got scored upon. Even though we got scored on in the third, we still played our game and made the plays we're supposed to make and brought it home." -- Kings captain Anze Kopitar
"We could have scored on our first shift and didn't, took a penalty and ended up chasing the game a little bit. We had ample opportunity to get ourselves back in the game but didn't have any puck luck to get it in the back of the net." -- Devils coach John Hynes

Need to know

Kopitar has two goals and seven assists in the past eight games. Carter has three goals and seven assists in the past nine games. ... A video review ruling on the no goal for Devils forward PA Parenteau 6:14 into the second was because the net was displaced before the puck crossed the line.

What's next

Kings:At the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FS-SE, FS-W, NHL.TV)
Devils: Host the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MSG, CSN-DC, NHL.TV)