Budaj, Kings shut out Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis scored 38 seconds apart late in the third period, and Peter Budaj recorded his fifth shutout of the season as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 Thursday night.
Gaborik scored with 4:43 left, and Lewis added his seventh of the season on the next shift. Kyle Clifford's empty-net goal capped the scoring.
The Kings (24-21-4) head into the All-Star break on a two-game winning streak after losing four in a row. The All-Star Weekend festivities will be held on their home ice in Los Angeles.
The Hurricanes, after winning four straight, have now lost five in a row, getting outscored 23-5 in those defeats. Carolina (21-20-7) was shut out for the first time in 82 games dating to Jan. 17, 2016, which was the longest active streak in the NHL.
Budaj recorded his 16th career shutout. He stopped 22 shots to move into a tie for second in the league with his fifth shutout of the season.
Gaborik and Clifford each scored their fifth goal of the season, while Lewis tallied his seventh.
Hurricanes left winger Jeff Skinner, sixth in the league with 170 shots on goal, was held without a shot for the first time this season, and Carolina's power play continued to struggle. The Hurricanes were 0-for-4 with the man advantage and have scored just three power-play goals in 12 January games.
Los Angeles was unsuccessful on its lone power play.
Carolina goalie Cam Ward made 26 saves.
NOTES: Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter is one win from tying Bryan Murray (620) for 11th on the all-time victories list. ... Carolina D Klas Dahlbeck was inserted into the lineup for just the third time in the past 34 games. He finished with an even rating in 12:36 of ice time. ... Los Angeles will complete its extended five-game road trip at Arizona on Tuesday. ... Kings D Drew Doughty played in his 213th straight game, while D Jake Muzzin logged his 207th in a row. ... Carolina C Jordan Staal is one game shy of 300 played with the franchise since being acquired from Pittsburgh.