New Jersey is fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 27-22-4.

"Unfortunately, they got two, and we got one. It was such a tight game it could have gone so many different ways. ...As a team, we still like how we played."

New Jersey Devils veteran Brendan Smith said there was a lot to like from his team's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Prudential Center on Thursday night.

Goaltender Nico Daws was busy in the opening period as the Kings controlled the play. The 23-year-old made an impressive save on Anze Kopitar a little over halfway into the period to keep the Kings off the scoreboard.

After 20 minutes, the score was deadlocked at zero, with the Kings having a 13-5 shot advantage.

While the Devils were on the power play, the Kings broke through, scoring the game's opening goal. Anze Kopitar scored shorthanded a little over eight minutes into the second period. Three seconds were remaining on New Jersey's power play.

Adrian Kempe was credited with the lone assist on Kopitar's 16th of the season.

After giving up a shorthanded goal, the Devils converted on their next power play. Tyler Toffoli scored his team-leading 23rd of the season. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes collected the assists.

After 40 minutes, the score was even at 1-1, with Los Angeles still having an edge in shots and hits.

Quinton Byfield scored the game-winning goal at 14:23 into the third period on the power play. Brandt Clarke and Pierre-Luc Dubois were credited with the assists.

Daws made 27 saves on 29 shots.

"I felt pretty good out there," Daws said. "I don't usually make a lot of big glove saves like that. They're fun when I make them. I felt pretty decent tonight," Daws said. "(My confidence) is building. I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself and let the highs get too high. I'm playing with a lot of confidence now."

UP NEXT: The Devils will play in the 2024 NHL Stadium Series on Saturday, Feb. 17.

LINES:

Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt

Jack Hughes - Erik Haula - Tyler Toffoli

Timo Meier - Curtis Lazar - Dawson Mercer

Alexander Holtz - Tomas Nosek - Nathan Bastian

Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes - John Marino

Brendan Smith - Colin Miler

Nico Daws

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