Blue Jackets 3, Kings 1
BLUE JACKETS 3, KINGS 1: Mark Letestu scored twice to extend host Columbus'
winning streak to four games.
Letestu redirected James Wisniewski’s blast from the point to
open scoring at 9:13 of the first period. He put the Blue Jackets ahead 3-1 after
finding the puck on his stick during a scramble in front of the Kings’ net just
over three minutes into the second period.
Columbus picked up its first four-game winning streak since
November 2010 and defeated Los Angeles for just the third time in the last seven
meetings. The Kings had their three-game winning run come to a halt.
Anze Kopitar snatched up a Columbus turnover and broke free,
slipping the puck past Steve Mason to even the score at 1-1 with a shorthanded
goal at 12:22 of the first period
Former King Jack Johnson made the score 2-1, unleashing on a
loose puck in the slot to beat Jonathan Bernier top corner with just eight
seconds remaining in the first period. Johnson has two goals and two assists in
his five games with Columbus.
Mason suffered a cut on his blocker hand from the skate of teammate
John Moore midway through the second period. He made 16 saves before being
replaced by Curtis Sanford, who stopped all 13 shots faced.
Right wing Vinny Prospal had two assists, recording nine
points in his last seven games.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Kings killed all five Columbus power
plays and have fought off 25 straight penalties overall. … Blue Jackets C Derek MacKenzie sat
due to a concussion. … Jackets WR Derek Dorsett left the game with an undisclosed
injury.