Los Angeles, CA- New Jersey Devils goaltender Kari Lehtonen stopped 38 of 40 shots from the Los Angeles Kings, but it wasnt enough as the Devils were on the wrong side of a 2-1 decision.

Lehtonen owned the first period as he stopped all 18 shots fired at him, but the Kings Tuukka Rash stopped all nine of his shots to keep the game scoreless through one period of play.

All of the games scoring took place in the second period. At 2:50, Niklas Hagman wristed home a shot from Rostisalv Olesz and Jonathon Blum. Hagman added a second goal of the game, and his 11^th of the season, at 4:52, this time betting Lehtonen with a slapshot on a feed from Olesz.

The Devils (12-5-2) broke through on the Kings (11-11-1) at 9:03. Martin Erat fired a shot at goal, but it was blocked by Kris Russell of the Kings. The puck found its way back to Erat, who snapped home his 6^th of the year. Rookie John Carlson picked up his first point in 17 games with an assist on that tally.

The third period was the definition of boring hockey. The Devils, trailing by one goal, only mustered five shots on goal. The Kings, killing the clock, only took two attempts at Lehtonen.

The Devils will take the redeye back to New Jersey tonight in order to face the rested Toronto Maple Leafs (8-10-3) tomorrow night. Toronto took the only previous meeting between the two teams.

Immediately before the game, it was announced the Devils have acquired from the Kings center Marc Savard. In exchange, the Devils sent a 5^th round pick in next years draft to LA.

GM Tim Scholl said about the deal, We are looking to get some more scoring from our 2^nd line. Savard was getting top line minutes in LA, and we are expecting his leadership to help out with the kids (Patrik Berglund, Carlson, and Eric Tangradi). Scholl says he looks at this as a rental as Savards contract is up this year, and Savard does come with an injured history. Savard will be centering Erat and Tangradi tomorrow night.

SWAMP THINGS- The loss, combined with a Philadelphia Flyers win, has knocked the Devils from the top of the Atlantic Division standingsKings Joshua Bailey and Devils Brendan Morrison fought to a drawDue to the trade, there was some emergency lineup changes, such as Marcel Goc playing out of positionJeff Tambellini was sent down to the minors to make room for Savard.

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