Devils 3 Kings 2 INGLEWOOD – It goes down in the books as a success, this 2-1 California trip the Devils completed last night. But they shouldn’t celebrate much. The main reason they won even one game was the subpar goaltending they faced.

They should be concerned, too, as Martin Brodeur heads to Tampa to start Sunday’s All-Star Game. Their franchise goalie continues to be charitable, allowing soft goals, and uncharacteristically leaving fat rebounds in front. He gave up goals both ways last night, but emerged the winner because Jamie Storr was worse in the Devils’ 3-2 victory over the Kings here.

It was much the same as the night before in Anaheim, when Brodeur was also yielding clinkers, only to look good in comparison to Dominic Roussel. Both nights, Brodeur improved as the game progressed and he preserved victory in the face of onslaught. But the form is worrysome.

Still, the Devils head into the All-Star break with two straight victories and a 25-14-5 record. They have fallen from the conference and division leads, but still can scramble through to victories without appearing impressive.

Jozef Stumpel scored in each of the first two periods for the Kings, but New Jersey took a 3-2 lead into the third on goals by Randy McKay and Bobby Holik in the first and Scott Niedermayer in the second.

Brodeur then turned it on and preserved that lead throughout the third, including a wild, final 1:10 when the Devils were called for two penalties and the Kings had a goal disallowed because the puck was hit with a high stick.

This game marked a homecoming for Robbie Ftorek, who coached the Kings here a decade ago. It was also New Jersey’s final visit to the Forum, an abomination of a building no one will miss, including the half-capacity crowd that wasn’t there last night.

The fans who did attend came in a snarly mood, ready to rip, and Storr gave them quick reason. McKay’s routine slap from the top of the right circle went between his legs to give the Devils the lead 3:54 into play. McKay returned to score his 12th of the year after sitting out Wednesday’s 4-3 victory in Anaheim with a back injury.

Brodeur continued having his troubles, promptly allowing Stumpel to square the score. Stumpel’s left-circle slap hit Brodeur’s catching glove on the wrist, and the puck popped over his head, falling into the net behind him, not needing Donald Audette to tap in it.

Still, there was Storr, who was 8-2 in 10 games but shoddy early last night. Sharp power-play passing from Lyle Odelein, Brian Rolston and Petr Sykora opened up Holik in the slot, and Holik’s 19th found the short side along the ice, a space Storr should have covered.

The Devils were credited with 23 shots on Storr in the first, their most since they launched 23 in the opening period against Tampa Bay on Dec. 6, 1997. Their team record of 27 in a period was set in 1995.

Niedermayer made it 3-1 just 42 seconds into the second, going to the net on a 4-on-4 to collect Brendan Morrison’s right-point rebound. Niedermayer astounded Storr with a behind-the-back shot that was highlight material. Stumpel closed the lead to one with his second of the night and eighth of the year, at 15:31. Vladimir Tsyplakov’s slap from the left circle rebounded strangely off Brodeur into the slot straight to Stumpel, who promptly hit the half-open net. *After the All-Star Game Sunday in Tampa, Devils resume play Tuesday when Ottawa visits the Meadowlands … Jason Arnott sat out with a foot bruise suffered when blocking a shot late in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory in Anaheim … Devils scratched Sasha Lakovic, while Patrik Elias remained in New Jersey with flu. Dave Andreychuk is out until April with a broken ankle … Kings scratched Matt Johnson, Steve Duchesne and Pavel Rosa, all healthy … Denis Pederson took stitches after fight with Philippe Boucher, then returned to fight him again … Holik, Scott Stevens, Brodeur and Ftorek will attend All-Star Game.