LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Lee scored his first NHL goal, Darcy Kuemper recorded his second shutout of the season and the Los Angeles Kings beat the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Wednesday for their third straight win.
Quinton Byfield also scored for the Kings, and Adrian Kempe added an empty-netter with 4:25 to play. Kuemper made 32 saves for his 33rd career shutout.
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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, right, moves the puck ahead of New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, left, skates against New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, right, and Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper saves a shot from New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, left, saves a shot from New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, January 1, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs controls the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Byfield, who has three goals and five points in the past three games, made it 2-0 at 11:01 of the third period. The forward came out of the penalty box and put a wrist shot past Jake Allen.
Lee opened the scoring 6:23 into the second period when he skated under a puck flung high up the ice by Jordan Spence and split two Devils defensemen to beat Allen. Lee, a 24-year-old Swedish forward drafted in the seventh round in 2019, finally scored in his 19th game after making his NHL debut in Los Angeles' season opener Oct. 10.
Allen stopped 21 shots for New Jersey.
Devils: They're halfway through a six-game road swing, and they've lost three straight in regulation for the first time this season. A day after they fell out of first place in the Eastern Conference, the Devils were shut out for the sixth time.
Kings: Extended their home winning streak to eight games. Los Angeles is 13-2-1 at Crypto.com Arena this season, with its .844 winning percentage being the highest in the league.
Timo Meier appeared to even it for New Jersey in the second period, but his goal was taken off the board when the Kings successfully argued for goaltender interference against Stefan Noesen, who had been in Kuemper’s crease right before Meier scored.
Kopitar picked up his first penalty of the season at 12:01 of the first period. Kopitar, the Lady Byng Trophy winner in 2016 and 2023, was given a two-minute minor for holding Luke Hughes.
Devils visit San Jose on Saturday, and Kings host Tampa Bay.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, right, moves the puck ahead of New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, left, skates against New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, right, and Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper saves a shot from New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, left, saves a shot from New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, January 1, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs controls the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles.
SYDNEY (AP) — Rishabh Pant's blistering counterattack capped a chaotic second day of the fifth and final test between Australia and India where 15 wickets fell on Saturday and the star bowler of the series left the Sydney Cricket Ground with an ambulance escort.
Yet the Border-Gavaskar trophy still remains very much in the balance as India reached 141-6, holding a 145-run lead over Australia with three days remaining.
“Low-scoring games like this, it just heightens the pressure within it, so long way still to go,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said. “There’s gonna be plenty of cricket, so we’ll see what happens.”
Australia was bowled out for 181, giving India a four-run lead on the first innings, and could not take advantage of India captain Jasprit Bumrah leaving the SCG for medical scans for back spasms. Bumrah later returned to the SCG but there was no confirmation on whether the star bowler would be able to bowl in the remainder of the test — or bat in India's second innings.
Beau Webster top-scored for the hosts with 57 and a wicket in a bright debut, while Steve Smith narrowly fell short of bringing up 10,000 career test runs in front of his home crowd.
Pant then lit up the SCG with a swashbuckling 61 off 33 balls with six boundaries and four sixes to leave the match evenly poised after the end of just the second day.
“If I was sitting at home and watching (it), I would have loved it and, and to be able to (watch) it from the ground, I mean there's nothing like it,” said Prasidh Krishna.
“I know it’s, it’s a lot of risk, but then that’s the way the game is played today.”
At stumps, Jadeja was eight not out and Washington Sundar was unbeaten on six.
Scott Boland backed up his four wickets in India's first innings with four more on Saturday.
First, he bowled two near-unplayable deliveries to bowl opening pair KL Rahul (13) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22).
Boland (4-42) followed that up by yet again tempting Virat Kohli outside off stump which the veteran guided straight to Smith at slip in what may be the 36-year-old Kohli's final test innings in Australia.
“Every time he plays, he does the job well,” McDonald said of Boland. “His ability just to be relentless on a length, move the ball both ways is, yeah, it’s proving difficult, in particular on the surface back over to the left.”
Webster (1-24) chalked up his first test wicket, having Shubman Gill (13) caught behind after a wild swipe.
Earlier, Australia conceded a four-run deficit as it was bowled out at tea.
Steve Smith (33) and Webster appeared to have stabilized the host's innings after its top order was toppled in quick time by Bumrah (2-33) and Mohammad Siraj (3-51).
Bumrah took Labuschagne to go with Khawaja's wicket and took his overall series tally to 32 wickets, the highest ever by an Indian bowler in a single series in Australia, passing spinner Bishan Singh Bedi’s 31 during the 1977-78 series.
Australia leads the series 2-1 and must avoid defeat to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15. A win by India and a drawn series at 2-2 would allow the visitors to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.
A win for Australia at the SCG would book the team’s spot in a second straight World Test Championship final where it would play the already-qualified South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Former India Rohit Sharma has hit back at suggestions he was dropped from the team ahead of the decisive 5th test, saying he made the decision to stand down.
The 37-year-old Sharma said that he had initiated the conversation with selectors.
“I had a chat with the coach and the selector was very simple,” Rohit said on India's Star Sports. “I am not making runs at the moment. I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player.
“This was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.”
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Australia's captain Pat Cummins, right, and Scot Boland celebrate the wicket of India's Nitish Kumar Reddy during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Scott Boland reacts after taking a the wicket of India's Nitish Kumar Reddy during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Steve Smith gestures to teammate Australia's Usman Khawaja after dropping a catch during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's KL Rahul is out bowled during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Scott Boland is congratulated by teammates Marnus Labuschagne, right, and Steve Smith after dismissing India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Virat Kohli reacts as he walks from the field after he was dismissed during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Scott Boland, left, celebrates after dismissing India's Virat Kohli, right, during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Beau Webster appeals successfully for the wicket of India's Shubman Gill during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Rishabh Pant bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Steve Smith dives as he attempts to take a catch during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's captain Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Rishabh Pant during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Rishabh Pant bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Rishabh Pant bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Prasidh Krishna, right, reacts after dismissing Australia's Steve Smith during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Prasidh Krishna is congratulated by teammates after dismissing Australia's Steve Smith during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Mohammed Siraj bowls to Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Jasprit Bumrah appeals successfully for the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Steve Smith hits the ball for six runs during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Mohammed Siraj reacts after talking the wicket of Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Steve Smith takes a run during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Beau Webster bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
India's Prasidh Krishna, right, reacts after dismissing Australia's Steve Smith during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
