KINGS DON'T GIVE IT THEIR BEST PALFFY'S ABSENCE OBVIOUS IN LOSS TO NEW JERSEY NEW JERSEY 4, KINGS 0.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Whether it was Roman Cechmanek or Cristobal Huet in net, the Kings didn't stand much of a chance without Ziggy Palffy.

The New Jersey Devils not only are Stanley Cup champions, they also have the stingiest defense in the NHL. Minus Palffy, sidelined with a bruised jaw, the Kings predictably lost 4-0 Tuesday night in front of 17,067 at Staples Center.

Huet played his second consecutive game in place of Cechmanek, who has been erratic as the Kings' No. 1 goaltender.

Saturday, Huet shut out the Colorado Avalanche as the Kings (10-8-1-1) moved into first place in the Pacific Division. Tuesday, they kept their lead despite allowing power-play goals to John Madden and Scott Niedermayer and another goal by Sergei Brylin.

With 3:43 remaining in the game, Patrik Elias scored into an empty net to cap the scoring.

The Kings had 25 shots against Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, who recorded his fourth shutout of the year and 68th of his career.

Huet won Saturday's game against the Avs, who were 7-0-1-1 in their previous nine games. But the Devils have been even hotter, going 10-0-2-0 since last losing Oct. 25.

``There is no goaltending controversy here,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``We simply wanted to stay with the hot hand. If we can beat Colorado on the road, I think we can beat New Jersey at home.''

But the Devils, who play the Mighty Ducks tonight in a rematch of last spring's Stanley Cup Finals, were far more physical than the Avs. They not only put traffic in front of Huet, they were punishing in the corners.

And on the night Devils captain Scott Stevens tied Larry Murphy for most career games by a defenseman (1,615), New Jersey played its usual smothering defense to remain the NHL's only unbeaten team on the road (5-0-2-0).

Early in the second period, Niedermayer whacked center Eric Belanger into the boards. Belanger remained on the ice for a couple of minutes surrounded by blood.

But despite objections from Murray, Niedermayer was not whistled for a penalty. The crowd booed him the rest of the night.

Belanger never returned and Kings winger Sean Avery tried to avenge the hit later in the second period by hitting Niedermayer. Avery got two minutes for high sticking and Niedermayer received two minutes for roughing.

Three minutes later, with Aaron Miller off for delay of game, Niedermayer scored the Devils' third goal.

It is uncertain how much of a difference Palffy, the league's third-leading scorer, could have made.

But it was clear from the outset the Kings couldn't keep up without him.

New Jersey, which has allowed more than three goals just once this season, first scored at 18:03 of the first period.

After Mike Cammalleri went off for obstruction, Madden took advantage of a screen by Miller and scored on a 20-foot slapper.

Brylin got the Devils' second goal just 22 seconds into the second period.

Turner Stevenson did most of the work, streaking along the boards and beating the Kings' defense. But instead of shooting, Stevenson passed the puck in front and Brylin poked it in.

The Kings entered the game having killed off 18 consecutive power plays and added two more in the first.

But after Madden's early power-play goal, the streak ended.

Late in the second, Niedermayer returned to the ice after his tussle with Avery and found himself in an excellent scoring position after Miller went off.

Niedermayer moved in front of the Kings' net untouched then redirected a slap shot from Brian Rafalski at 19:16.

To make matters worse, the Kings had been promoting free tickets for the first 500 fans who brought frozen turkeys to Tuesday's game. Only 200 turkeys arrived.

But at least there is no goaltending controversy.

And Palffy could be back Thursday when the Kings face the Coyotes in Phoenix.

Matt McHale, [phone]

matt.mchale(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) New Jersey's Scott Niedermayer (27) watches as John Madden's shot gets past Kings goalie Cristobal Huet in the first period.

(2) Kings defenseman Aaron Miller, right, loses his helmet after a collision with New Jersey's David Hale in front of the Kings' bench. The Devils remained undefeated on the road.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press