Game 67: Blue Jackets 3, Kings 1 (FINAL)

Jeff Carter returns to Columbus, and Jack Johnson faces the Kings. Who will get the best of his former mates tonight? The Kings face the Blue Jackets, with all the action on Prime Ticket and on 1150-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well…

SECOND PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Bernier vs. Sanford.
End of period: The Kings had their three-game winning streak ended after a scoreless third period. The Blue Jackets outshot the Kings 36-30.

SECOND PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Bernier vs. Mason.
Blue Jackets 3, Kings 1: Columbus took a two-goal lead 3:07 into the period. Bernier made the stop on a shot from Maksim Mayorov from the left side, but couldn’t cover the rebound. Rob Scuderi and Kyle Clifford were in front of the net, but both wound up facing the net as Mark Letestu found the loose puck and scored from close range for his second goal of the game. Vaclav Prospal also got an assist.
Goalie change: Curtis Sanford replaced Steve Mason in goal for Columbus 11 minutes into in the second period, after Mason appeared to suffer a cut on his hand or arm.
End of period: The Blue Jackets outshot the Kings 11-9 in the period. The Kings went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and did not have a power play.

FIRST PERIOD
Officials: Steve Kozari, Marcus Vinnerborg (referees); Bryan Pancich, Mark Wheler (linesmen).
Lineups: Davis Drewiske, Brad Richardson and Kevin Westgarth are the Kings’ healthy scratches.
In goal: It’s the Kings’ Jonathan Bernier against the Blue Jackets’ Steve Mason.
Blue Jackets 1, Kings 0: Columbus took the lead 9:14 into the game. Matt Greene’s outlet-pass attempt was picked off deep in the Kings’ zone by Vaclav Prospa, who then fed a cross-ice pass to the blue line. James Wisniewski’s slap shot from the right point got deflected by Mark Letestu and beat Bernier.
Kings 1, Blue Jackets 1: The Kings tied the game on Anze Kopitar’s shorthanded goal with 7:38 remaining in the period. Dustin Brown forced the puck away from Derek Dorsett in the neutral zone, then pushed the puck toward Kopitar, who took the puck to the net with speed and tucked it around Mason for his 20th goal of the season.
Blue Jackets 2, Kings 1: Jack Johnson’s goal with 8.5 seconds remaining in the period gave the Blue Jackets the lead. After a scramble in the Kings’ zone, and a deflected pass attempt, Johnson went to the slot, found a loose puck and put a shot past Bernier. Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger picked up assists.
End of period: The Blue Jackets outshot the Kings 15-12 in the period. The Kings went 0-for-1 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill, and scored a shorthanded goal.

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