Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Kari Lehtonen made 29 saves to record his first shutout of the season and 12th of his career, as the Atlanta Thrashers downed the New Jersey Devils, 4-0, at the Prudential Center.
Ilya Kovalchuk registered a goal and an assist for the Thrashers, who won for just the second time in their last eight games. Todd White compiled a pair of assists and has accrued 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in his last 15 games.
Kevin Weekes replaced Scott Clemmensen, who was making his 13th consecutive start between the pipes for New Jersey, at the outset of the third period after Clemmensen allowed three goals on 19 shots. Weekes made four saves the rest of the way for the Devils, who have dropped three of five.
Atlanta took a 1-0 lead off a scramble in front of Clemmensen. Colby Armstrong wheeled around the right post and swept a shot that trickled between the netminder's pads and laid in the crease. As he went down on his back in an attempt to cover the puck, Clemmensen inadvertently knocked it in with his right arm at 3:03 of the second period.
Moments later, New Jersey forward David Clarkson was called for roughing and Kovalchuk converted on the power play for a 2-0 Thrashers lead, hammering Slava Kozlov's cross-ice pass through Clemmensen at 5:31.
Jim Slater lit the lamp with six minutes remaining in the frame, and Marty Reasoner tallied at the 2:09 mark of the third period.
