Unser Chat » hockey for its first home victory over the Canadiens

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings jumped on a couple of early scoring chances and spent the rest of the night playing stellar defence. When a few shots broke through that defensive front, Jonathan Quick was there. The Kings won the Stanley Cup two years ago with that basic formula, and they can see it clicking again as they close in on another playoff run. Jeff Carter scored his 250th career NHL goal on a power play, Quick made 17 saves to remain unbeaten since the Olympic break, and the Kings beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Monday night for their fifth straight victory. Jake Muzzin scored an early goal for the Kings, who have won four games in six days since the break to solidify their playoff position in the Pacific Division, 10 points ahead of fourth-place Vancouver. The Kings might not be the most eye-catching team in the NHL, but the back-to-back Western Conference finalists results are becoming increasingly attractive. "Were playing the way I expected us to play coming out of the break," said Justin Williams, who got an assist on Muzzins goal just 1:54 in by leading a rush. "Were playing hard and not giving up leads. We do need to capitalize on more of our chances, but its two points we need for playoff position." Los Angeles took an early lead and hung on through 35 closing minutes of scoreless hockey for its first home victory over the Canadiens since March 8, 2003. Quick put together another outstanding game for the Kings on the heels of his performance for the U.S. national team in Sochi, making a handful of big saves to beat the Canadiens for the first time in his career. With his 168th win, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner is just three behind Rogie Vachon for the Los Angeles franchise record. "The style that we play, those are the kind of games youre going to see more often than not," Quick said. "At times it was a little slow, but I thought we carried the game for the most part. We didnt give them many opportunities. It was the kind of game you want to play." The Kings followed up their 6-0 victory at Montreal on Dec. 10 with another solid performance against the Canadiens built around that defence. Los Angeles has allowed an NHL-low 134 goals, and Montreal couldnt crack the Kings defence except for P.K. Subbans fortunate deflection goal late in the first period. "We played against the best defensive team in the league, and that showed," Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. Peter Budaj stopped 20 shots for Montreal, which had won five of six. The Canadiens opened a four-game West Coast trip with their first regulation loss since Feb. 2 -- and a taste of the frustration felt by Los Angeles more frequent opponents. "We couldnt get much sustained pressure, and thats a big part of it," Montreal captain Brian Gionta said. "We got a lucky bounce on the one goal, but for the most part, we werent able to get to the net as freely as we wanted. Weve got to give them credit for that, but weve got to find ways to break through." Montreal put goalie Carey Price on injured reserve with an apparent groin injury before the game, eight days after he posted a shutout in Canadas gold medal-winning victory over Sweden in Sochi. Budaj has started every game since the break, but Price might be able to play in Wednesdays game at NHL-leading Anaheim. Although Los Angeles dominated possession early, the Canadiens tied it late in the period when Quick blocked Subbans long shot, and the puck ricocheted off Jarret Stoll and into Quicks net. Carter put the Kings back ahead early in the second period, putting Anze Kopitars pass into the top corner of Budajs net with a slick wrist shot for his 22nd goal of the season. "The first 10 minutes, they certainly were coming fast, and we didnt have an answer for it," Montreal forward Brendan Gallagher said. "At the end, we had our chances and started to create stuff, but they are a good defensive team and they dont give up a lot." NOTES: Montreal visited Staples Center for the first time since Dec. 3, 2011. ... Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka and rising star Eugenie Bouchard, a Montreal-area native, both attended the game. The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., began Monday with qualifying play. ... Stoll played in his 700th NHL game. Bert Blyleven Jersey . Osasunas Alvaro Cejudo drove the ball onto the crossbar in the fifth minute and his team squandered several long-range strikes before he was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez in the 50th. Blake Parker Jersey . - Robert Griffin III has a sprained throwing shoulder that limited him in practice Wednesday as the Washington Redskins prepared for their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-willians-astudillo-jersey/ . Pekovic had an MRI test Tuesday on his right ankle that revealed bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled pad that cushions the joint. Joe Mauer Twins Jersey . He spent the rest of the game making up for lost playing time. Green scored a career-high 36 points, including eight in overtime, and the Phoenix Suns beat Denver 112-107 on Tuesday night to hand the Nuggets their fifth consecutive loss. Joe Mauer Jersey . According to a release sent by the league, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were the only team to exceed the cap. Their total salary expenditure of $4,417,975 was $17,975 over the salary cap of $4.CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians couldnt wait any longer for Justin Masterson to fix his pitching problems. The Indians placed Masterson on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right knee Tuesday. Masterson, the teams opening day starter, is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA. Manager Terry Francona talked with Masterson on Monday after the right-hander allowed five runs and six hits in two-plus innings against the New York Yankees. "Mastys first inclination was wanting to pitch through it, which we respect," Francona said. "The way it was going, though, we thought wed DL him and get him some treatment." Masterson made the All-Star team last season when he went 14-10 with three shutouts. The Indians considered him to be their staff ace going into the season, but Masterson hasnt won since June 8 and has pitched more than four innings once in his last five starts. Masterson has been dealing with a sore knee most of the season. He was pushed back a couple of days earlier this month, but his results havent improved. "Its hard to imagine it would help," Francona said of the injury. "Im not in his body. When a guys out there competing, I dont think they think about it a lot, but I dont think it helps." Masterson was pulled without retiring a batter in the third against New York. He walked three, hit a batter and rarely topped 90 mph in his 54 pitches, throwing only 24 strikes. He has given up 19 runs, 27 hits and 17 walks in 18 innings over his last five starts. Mastersons short outings have also also put a lot of stress on the bullpen.dddddddddddd Francona used five relievers Monday and six a week ago when Masterson didnt record an out in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "Maybe two weeks would be best for him and us because he was exiting early," Francona said. "Its hard to keep doing that and keep the bullpen not only healthy, but productive." Masterson is a free agent after this season. The two sides talked about a contract extension in spring training, but didnt reach an agreement. Corey Kluber is the only starter whos still in the rotation that opened the season. Zach McAllister and Danny Salazar are pitching at Triple-A Columbus while Carlos Carrasco was moved to the bullpen after four starts. The rotation includes Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin and T.J. House, who all began the season in the minors. The Indians are in third place in the AL Central with a 43-45 record and trail first-place Detroit by 6 1-2 games. "Youre going to need more than five starters," Francona said. "Its a difficult thing to build in depth. You walk a fine line there. I dont think our record is what we want it to be. You can whine about it or you can choose to try to figure out a way to win. McAllister or Salazar will be recalled to start Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. The Indians also recalled left-hander Nick Hagadone and catcher Roberto Perez from Columbus and optioned outfielder Tyler Holt to Triple-A. Right-hander Mark Lowe was designated for assignment. ' ' '