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Oilers blank Kings in Smyth's return

Nov 4, 2011 - 6:03 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - In his first return to Los Angeles this season, Ryan Smyth tallied and led the Edmonton Oilers to their sixth straight win as they defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0.

Smyth wanted to come home, and the Kings fulfilled his request this past offseason when they traded the 35-year old to the Oilers, the team he spent his first 12 seasons with.

The Alberta native made his NHL debut with the Oilers during the 1994-95 season and remained with the club until getting dealt to the Islanders during the 2006-07 campaign. Smyth spent the past two seasons with the Kings, posting 45 goals and 100 points.

As for the six-game winning streak, its Edmonton's winningest stretch in nine years.

Nikolai Khabibulin recorded his 45th career shutout, and stopped 19 shots.

"We didn't give them much tonight, we blocked a lot of shots. It always helps when the defenseman and forwards eliminate the second and third chances," Khabibulin said.

Lennart Petrell and Corey Potter also scored for Edmonton, which has allowed just six goals during its six-game stretch.

Jonathan Quick made 24 saves for the Kings, who've been shut out in consecutive games for the first time at Staples Center. They've lost three straight overall.

"We didn't have enough shots, and they blocked a lot of shots," Kings head coach Terry Murray said.

After a scoreless first period, the Oilers snuck two past Quick in the second period to take a 2-0 lead.

Smyth controlled the puck from behind the net and flick a pass towards the slot. The pass hit Alec Martinez's stick, then deflected into the net 11:26 into the period.

Petrell scored 6:12 later. Ben Eager wristed a shot on net from the right circle and Petrell jumped on the rebound, backhanding it home.

Sam Gagner's wraparound attempt was stopped initially by Quick, but Potter was there to put home the rebound to make it 3-0, 1:06 into the third period.

Game Notes

The Oilers won six straight games from March 14-26 in 2002...The Kings recorded just three shots in the first stanza, their lowest total in a period this season...The last time Los Angeles was shut out in consecutive games at home was October 31 - November 1 in 1998. The Kings moved to the Staples Center to start the 1999-2000 season.