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Devils seek first win on homestand vs. Kings

Feb 2, 2008 - 12:09 PM Los Angeles (21-29-3) at New Jersey (28-20-3) 7:00 pm EST

NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils already have lost the first three contests of their current five-game homestand, but a visit from the NHL's worst team could but just the cure they need.

Martin Brodeur and the Devils will hope to avoid a fourth straight defeat as the host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

Brodeur made 23 saves and leading-scorer Zach Parise netted a goal Friday, but New Jersey still suffered a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers. The Devils have failed to defeat a New York-area team in 10 attempts this season, going 0-3-2 against the Rangers and 0-4-1 vs. the Islanders.

A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, Brodeur has just two wins in his previous seven starts but has enjoyed some success against the Kings over his career. In 12 games against Los Angeles, the 14-year veteran is 7-4-1 with one shutout and a 1.89 goals-against average.

The Kings are making the third stop on their season-high, eight-game road trip, which includes meetings with all five teams in the Atlantic Division. After losing to Philadelphia in a shootout Tuesday, Los Angeles responded with a 3-1 triumph over the Islanders on Thursday.

Los Angeles has not played New Jersey since November 27, 2006, when they came away with a 3-2 victory.