Game 51: Kings 3, Blue Jackets 2 (FINAL)

The Kings have been away from Staples Center for eight days, and after tonight, they won’t be back until Feb. 16. Tonight, they host the Columbus Blue Jackets, with all the action is on Fox Sports West and on 1150-AM and affiliates, and with all the game updates here as well…

THIRD PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Quick vs. Sanford.
Kings 2, Blue Jackets 2: Columbus tied the game 4:52 into the second period. Quick saved a medium-range shot by John Moore, but the rebound kicked to Antoine Vermette. With Quick sliding toward the side of the net, Vermette quickly centered a pass to Colton Gillies, who beat Drew Doughty to the puck and knocked it into the net.
Kings 3, Blue Jackets 2: The Kings won the game with two-tenths of a second remaining in regulation. After a scramble in front of the Columbus net, Drew Doughty knocked in the puck after a pass from Jack Johnson. Video review confirmed that the puck crossed the line before time ran out.

SECOND PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Quick vs. Sanford.
Kings 1, Blue Jackets 1: Columbus tied the game 1:09 into the second period. Vaclav Prospal brought the puck to the net and Quick made a sprawling save in an attempt to knock the puck away, but couldn’t control it. Derick Brassard, in front of the net, slipped a short backhand pass to Derek Dorsett, who knocked the puck in from close range.
Kings 2, Blue Jackets 1: The Kings regained the lead with 5:28 remaining in the second period, as Dustin Penner forced a turnover, then took the puck to the middle of the right circle and beat Sanford with a high shot. The goal was unassisted.
End of period: The Kings outshot the Blue Jackets 11-8 in the period. The Kings went 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and did not have a power play.

FIRST PERIOD
Lineup set: The Kings’ healthy scratches will be Davis Drewiske, Trent Hunter and Alec Martinez.
In goal: It’s the Kings’ Jonathan Quick against the Blue Jackets’ Curtis Sanford.
Kings 1, Blue Jackets 0: The Kings took the lead 8:40 into the first period on a power-play goal by Justin Williams. Drew Doughty held the puck near the offensive blue line, then pushed it toward Williams near the boards. Williams took a stride toward the net and then, from near the middle of the left circle, rifled a high wrist shot to the top corner to beat Sanford.
End of period: The Kings outshot the Blue Jackets 13-9 in the period. The Kings went 1-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill, and Columbus will be on the power play for the first 12 seconds of the second period.