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Blue Jackets blank Kings

Jan 8, 2012 - 12:30 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Curtis Sanford made 31 saves to record his first shutout of the season and backstop the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

Sanford stopped 14 shots in the third period, during which the Kings had multiple power plays.

"[Sanford] played outstanding, made the big saves," said Columbus head coach Scott Arniel. "But I have got to give a lot of credit to our team. We blocked a lot of shots. Penalty kill did an outstanding job."

Los Angeles opened the third period on a four-minute power play and had a two- man advantage for 37 seconds. The Kings got another chance to net the equalizer, spending the final 1:25 on a power play with Columbus' Grant Clitsome -- the lone goal-scorer -- off for delay of game.

But goals continue to elude the Kings, who suffered their first regulation loss since Darryl Sutter took over as head coach (5-1-3). Los Angeles, which finished 0-for-8 on the power play Saturday, has scored just two goals in its last three games.

"We have to find a way to score goals. That has kind of been the problem for us all year," said Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown.

Jonathan Quick recorded 17 saves for the Kings, who had picked up at least a point in a season-high nine straight games (6-0-3).

The one shot Quick couldn't stop came off the stick of Clitsome at the 11:25 mark of the second period. Derick Brassard sent a backhand pass from the right circle to the left and the Columbus defenseman one-timed it home.

Game Notes

Sanford notched his sixth career shutout...The Blue Jackets won for just the second time in their last 10 games...Columbus winger Ryan Russell made his NHL debut...Los Angeles forward Dustin Penner missed the game with an upper-body injury.