Hughes gets goal, 2 assists to lead Devils past Kings

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists for the New Jersey Devils in a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Prudential Center on Thursday.

"They're a really tight defensive team and I think this game and the Toronto Maple Leafs game (a 2-1 overtime loss on Tuesday) were really similar in that they were tight games and there was not a lot of space out there," Hughes said. "We did a good job sticking with it both games, honestly, and tonight we came out with two points."

Ondrej Palat had a goal and an assist, and Jacob Markstrom made 12 saves for the Devils (19-10-3), who won their second game of a five-game homestand (2-1-1).

Jordan Spence scored, and David Rittich made 23 saves for the Kings (17-9-3), who had won six straight.

"I think their game is their neutral-zone transition game," Spence said. "In the third period I don't think we were able to defend them. I think we were trying to be too fancy. Instead of shooting it, we were trying to pass it."

Alex Turcotte was awarded a penalty shot for the Kings after being hooked from behind by Brenden Dillon on a breakaway attempt at 11:01 of the second, but his ensuing wrist shot went over the crossbar.

"We missed on a couple of our opportunities and they capitalized on a couple of our mistakes," Kings coach Jim Hiller said. "It's a good team. They make it hard on you."

Spence gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead at 16:41 of the second period on a one-timer from the left point off a pass by Alex Laferriere from the right point.

"We won six games in a row for a reason; playing the Kings way by putting pucks behind them, shooting a lot of pucks and going to the dirty areas," Spence said. "I don't think we did that today."

Palat tied the game 1-1 on a redirection from the slot at 18:56 of the second. Hughes circled from the left circle to the right circle before snapping the puck into the slot, where Palat scored his second goal in two games.

Hughes made it 2-1 at 12:58 of the third period, scoring off a pass from Palat, who fed him in the slot just before circling behind the Kings net.

"I think we maybe had a couple more high-danger looks tonight (compared to the Toronto game)," Hughes said. "That's a high danger look to me in the slot from 'Pally.' We funneled a lot of pucks through like we did against the Maple Leafs, but two good efforts for us."

Brett Pesce pushed it to 3-1 with a short-handed goal, his first goal as a member of the Devils, at 17:17. He scored on a wrist shot from the right circle.

"It feels good," Pesce said. "Obviously, I was thinking about (scoring the first goal) on and off, but I just closed my eyes and shot ... that's really about it."

In addition to his offense, Hughes also has contributed a lot more on the penalty kill this season. He was on the ice for the Kings only power play late in the third period, and earned the primary assist on Pesce's goal.

"I didn't expect that to be my game but I'm happy they're giving me that chance," Hughes said. "I see really good players around the league playing penalty kill. I think two of the best PK guys I've seen are Jesper Bratt (Devils) and Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs). I kind of watch 'Bratter' do his thing and I think I can learn. I just got to keep finding spots that are good for my team."

Said Devils coach Sheldon Keefe: "I think the goal of Jack is to be the best player he can possibly be and he has the skill set to play and do whatever the game requires. When it's time to defend, Jack can defend. He's got great instincts, a great stick and an ability to win puck battles and come in at the appropriate angle and the timing is great."

NOTES: The Kings played 11 forwards and seven defensemen. ... Devils forward Tomas Tatar was a healthy scratch. ... Pesce, a defenseman, earned his 200th career point (40 goals, 160 assists) in his 650th game. ... Devils forward Dawson Mercer sustained an upper-body injury at 12:03 of the third period and did not return. Keefe said Mercer needed stitches but had no other update after the game. ... Dillon, a defenseman, and his wife, Emma, welcomed their second daughter, Elowen, on Thursday morning.