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(Sports Network) - Jonathan Quick stopped 29 shots and the Los Angeles Kings held off the St. Louis Blues, 2-1, at Scottrade Center.
Ryan Smyth and Michal Handzus scored for the Kings, who have won three straight since a season-opening defeat against Phoenix. This was the start of a six-game road trip for the Kings in their first away contest of the season.
"Our PK (penalty kill) did great tonight," said Quick. "It was good to see because we've been struggling against other teams' PK. We were blocking shots, clearing rebounds, getting pucks out. It was a great win."
Alex Steen had the lone goal for the Blues, while Chris Mason turned aside 24 shots. St. Louis has lost two in a row since winning back-to-back games against Detroit to start the season.
"I think the biggest thing for us is we have to do what we say," said Mason. "Everybody knows the right things to say before the games, but we're not preparing and ready to start the hockey games."
The Blues had just three shots in the first period, a frame that saw one goal -- Smyth's fourth of the year, on the power play, at the 10:47 mark on a close wrist shot.
Handzus scored with 4:05 remaining in the second when he flipped the puck toward the net and it found its way through a maze of players.
The tide turned in favor of the Blues in the third, and Steen had a short- handed tally on a goal that was only awarded after a video review. Steen was stationed at the right side of the net, along the end line and flipped the disc over a sprawling Quick.
Before that, play continued for approximately one minute before officials halted action to see the puck hit the back of the net and twirled out.
St. Louis, which had 14 shots on net in the final period, continued to pressure the LA goal. Andy McDonald had a golden opportunity to tie the game with two minutes left, but he couldn't get his stick on the puck on a rebound attempt despite the net being left open.
Mason was pulled for an extra attacker with just over a minute left and Quick made a save on a right circle shot from Steen with 24.5 seconds remaining. Erik Johnson's shot in the final seconds made it through several players, but couldn't find the net.
Game Notes
Los Angeles was 1-for-6 on the power play, while St. Louis was 0-for-5...The Kings have won five of the last seven meetings.
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