Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Justin Williams and Jack Johnson scored in the third period, as the Los Angeles Kings stayed perfect at home with a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars.
Dustin Brown also lit the lamp for the Kings, who are off to a 7-0-0 start at home for the first time since 1980-81.
Jonathan Quick turned aside 27-of-28 shots for Los Angeles, which has won five in a row.
“No team is coming in here not expecting to have a hard game,” Brown said. “They’re coming in here with their best because they know we’ve been good, especially in the standings. We’re not going to catch anyone by surprise this year.”
Jamie Benn scored the lone goal for the Stars, who have lost two straight since a three-game winning streak. Kari Lehtonen stopped 26-of-29 shots.
Williams’ power-play goal at the 6:51 mark of the third gave the Kings a 2-1 lead. Positioned at the top of the left circle, Williams fired a snap shot that hit off the post before going in.
Stars forward Adam Burish received a game misconduct for boarding with 3:57 to play. Johnson capitalized for Los Angeles with a shot from the point with 2:48 remaining.
Quick made eight saves in the third.
“These are two good teams. I mean it was a fun hockey game to play in,” Burish said. “This game will make us better down the road, I’m confident of that. It almost had a playoff kind of feel to it, just the excitement in the building, and the energy. You put two good teams in a 1-1 battle…you’re going to get a little nasty. You’re going to get a little edgy in games.”
The Kings drew first blood at the 6:13 mark of the first period. Anze Kopitar carried the puck around the net and fired a shot. Lehtonen made a stick save, but Brown was there to jam home the rebound.
Benn tied the game with 2:56 remaining. Mike Ribeiro, positioned along the boards, chipped the puck out of the Stars’ zone. Benn raced down the left side of the ice and won a battle for the puck. He made a quick move before sneaking a shot past Quick.
Los Angeles seemed to take the lead back with 2:07 left in the second. Jarret Stoll fired a shot from the right circle that beat Lehtonen, but the goal was called off due to goaltender interference by Williams.
Kings forward Ryan Smyth was honored in a pre-game ceremony for playing in his 1,000th career game Saturday against Nashville…The Kings have won seven of their last eight over the Stars, including a 5-2 victory in Dallas on October 28. Los Angeles has also won five of seven and eight of its last 11 at home over the Stars…The Kings are on their longest winning streak since winning nine in a row from January 21-February 6…The 22 points after 14 games by the Kings is tied for the club record (1974-75 club was 9-1-4= 22pts)…The teams combined for 91 penalty minutes (LA: 42, DAL: 49)…Williams extended his point streak to eight games (5-5=10).