Kings Pound On Jackets In Victory
Rough Efforts From Avery, Laperriere; Kings 4, Columbus 3
(from the Daily News)
By Jill Painter
Staff Writer
February 22, 2004 - Kings center Sean Avery one-timed the puck past Columbus goaltender Marc Denis, then threw himself into the glass in the corner and pounded it.
The Kings had finally found a way to beat the scrappy Blue Jackets.
Linemates Ian Laperriere and Avery aren't usually scoring threats - they've combined for 13 goals - but they were Saturday. Laperriere scored twice for the second time this season and the Kings, who had a three-goal lead, hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets in front of a sellout crowd of 18,118 at Staples Center.
The Kings and Blue Jackets went to overtime in their three previous games, with two ending in a tie and one a Kings loss.
"It doesn't matter who we play," Laperriere said. "We needed the points. (The other games) are in the back of your mind. They stole points from us this year. We had a good start and we cut their legs from under them right away."
The Kings had 16 shots on goal in the first period and finished with 42, the most since Jan. 14 when they had 46 against Minnesota. Columbus had just three in the first period and 21 in the game.
But flashy teenager Rick Nash scored two goals in the final period - including the last one with 1:28 left - to pull within one at 4-3. Nash scored his 32nd and 33rd goals of the season.
"It was really unfortunate it came to that," Kings coach Andy Murray said.
Fortunately for the Kings, they held on and moved back to the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Kings were hot from the start and created a plethora of scoring opportunities.
"It comes down to work ethic and we got great chances off that," Avery said.
Avery's goal gave the Kings a 3-1 lead at 13:58 in the second period. Luc Robitaille and Laperriere scored in the first period for the Kings, who were winless in their previous five games. The Kings hadn't won since Feb. 10 at Minnesota and hadn't beat Columbus in their previous eight meetings.
Kings backup goaltender Cristobal Huet - playing for the injured Roman Cechmanek - recorded his fifth win of the season.
Even Kip Brennan played for the first time since Dec. 26. Brennan has played in just 13 games this year but Murray had him in the lineup because of Columbus' penchant for fights and penalties the past few games.
The scouting report on Columbus held true as the Blue Jackets had four penalties in the first half.
Where there was a bit of a skirmish, Avery always seemed to be around. But Avery, who leads the team in penalty minutes, kept his cool for most of the game and stayed out of the penalty box until he was called for high-sticking with 3:33 left in the game.
Nash scored his second goal just a few seconds after Avery left the penalty box.
But the Kings managed to hang on for the final 88 seconds. Laperriere and Avery's unusual offensive output on this night was enough.
"They played hard and they're our stoppers," Murray said. "They always have a tough assignment every night because sometimes they're playing against the other team's top offensive guys."
Laperriere scored first for the Kings. Avery fed him a pass from the faceoff circle and Laperriere scored on a wrist shot from the slot for a 1-0 lead. The Kings also scored the first goal in a 4-3 loss to Dallas on Wednesday but let the Stars score three unanswered goals in the second period.
That didn't happen Saturday. Robitaille gave the Kings a 2-0 cushion on a long-range slapshot from near the point off a pass from Jaroslav Modry.
The Kings could've turned the game into a rout early but they were just 1 for 4 on the power play in the first period. The Kings' defense wasn't flawless, especially late.
But the Kings were all smiles afterward.
"Maybe at the end there was a little letdown but we came out with the win and that's all that matters," Laperriere said.