LAst Night's Action: Kings Continue To Make Road Kill

Jarret Stoll scores the game-winning goal against Mathieu Garon in the shootout. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

LA Kings defeat Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 (SO). Sitting at STAPLES Center night after night during their awful January homestand, it was hard to imagine the Kings getting their act together. Their blue line was awful and their offense went MIA in spurts.

But here they are on game seven of their franchise-long 10-game road trip, and they have now gotten 12 out of the possible 14 points in the standings. In fact they are 8-0-2 in their last ten games, their best in 31 years. If they get points in their game Thursday night in Madison Square Garden they can match a franchise record.

But this win wasn't pretty. The Kings couldn't keep a lead even late in the game when they were up 3-2. Just as Blue Jackets goalie Mathieu Garon headed towards the bench with 1:23 remaining, defensemen Kris Russell tied the game.

But Kings goalie Jonathan Quick clamped down in the shootout allowing nothing while Jarret Stoll scored the only goal in the shootout to give the Kings the victory.

LA Clippers defeat Minnesota Timberwolves 98-90. At least one Los Angeles NBA team decided to play on the road.

Washington Capitals defeat Anaheim Ducks 7-6. The Ducks led 4-1 at one point. Alexander Semin scored twice in the third period for a hat trick to tie the game at 6-6 and get the game winning goal. His second period goal tied the game at 4-4.

Cleveland Cavaliers defeat LA Lakers 104-99. No comment.

TONIGHT'S ACTION

LA Kings at New York Rangers. 4:00 p.m. FSWest, NHL Network, AM 1150 KTLK.

UCLA Bruins at Stanford Cardinal. 7:30 p.m. FSWest, AM 570 KLAC.

USC Trojans at California Bears. 7:30 p.m. AM 710 KSPN.