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Reaves, Blues snap skid with win over Kings

Jan 14, 2011 - 6:59 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Ryan Reaves scored the eventual game- winner in the second period, and the Blues dumped the Kings, 3-1, in a battle of struggling clubs at Staples Center.

Jaroslav Halak made 24 saves to stop St. Louis' five-game slide, while B.J. Crombeen and Alexander Steen each chipped in goals for the victors.

Michal Handzus tallied the only goal for Los Angeles, which fell to 1-6-0 on an eight-game homestand. Jonathan Quick made just 18 saves in defeat.

"There's a sense of urgency and a winning attitude, but it's finding it and playing with confidence and building one period or one shift at a time to carry forth into the next and then into the game situations," Kings forward Ryan Smyth said.

Crombeen tipped in Alex Pietrangelo's wrister from the right point for the game's first goal with 8:22 left in the opening period.

The Kings answered at the 5:37 mark of the second when Alec Martinez's wrist shot was re-directed by Handzus just as Roman Polak's hooking penalty ended.

The Blues came back with two late goals in the middle stanza. First, Reaves put in a rebound with 5:44 left, then Steen wristed one from the right circle off the crossbar and in with 1:04 showing.

"I'm settling in a little bit, trying to get to know the guys," said Reaves, who was recalled from Peoria of the AHL earlier in the week.

Halak turned aside 11 shots in the final point, including a point-blank stop of Marco Sturm with just over two minutes left to secure the much-needed win.

Game Notes

The Blues have won five straight vs. the Kings...Los Angeles will end its homestand on Saturday against the Oilers...St. Louis will play in San Jose Saturday...Jack Johnson recorded his 28th assist of the season on Handzus' tally.