Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Ryan Reaves scored the eventual game- winner in the second period, and the Blues dumped the Kings, 3-1, in a battle of struggling clubs at Staples Center. Jaroslav Halak made 24 saves to stop St. Louis' five-game slide, while B.J. Crombeen and Alexander Steen each chipped in goals for the victors. Michal Handzus tallied the only goal for Los Angeles, which fell to 1-6-0 on an eight-game homestand. Jonathan Quick made just 18 saves in defeat.
Crombeen tipped in Alex Pietrangelo's wrister from the right point for the game's first goal with 8:22 left in the opening period. The Kings answered at the 5:37 mark of the second when Alec Martinez's wrist shot was re-directed by Handzus just as Roman Polak's hooking penalty ended. The Blues came back with two late goals in the middle stanza. First, Reaves put in a rebound with 5:44 left, then Steen wristed one from the right circle off the crossbar and in with 1:04 showing.
Halak turned aside 11 shots in the final point, including a point-blank stop of Marco Sturm with just over two minutes left to secure the much-needed win. The Blues have won five straight vs. the Kings...Los Angeles will end its homestand on Saturday against the Oilers...St. Louis will play in San Jose Saturday...Jack Johnson recorded his 28th assist of the season on Handzus' tally.
For information on tonight's game, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.