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Smyth tallies twice to lead Avalanche past Kings

Oct 21, 2008 - 6:10 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Ryan Smyth's dominance of the Los Angeles Kings kept the Colorado Avalanche's win streak alive.

Smyth scored two goals - including the eventual game-winner - to lead the Avalanche to a 4-3 victory against the Kings on Monday night.

The 32-year-old left wing, Smyth has registered nine goals in his last six games against Los Angeles, leading Colorado to its third straight win.

"I don't know what it is," Smyth said of his success against the Kings. "Sometimes you just seem to find a way. Maybe it's the luck of the draw."

After rookie Oscar Moller gave the Kings an early lead with his first career tally just over six minutes into the game, Smyth evened the score with 8:32 left in the session after accepting a feed from Paul Stastny and wristing a shot from the slot past goaltender Jason LaBarbera.

Smyth credited his linemates for his offensive production.

"The big thing is we've had some time to jell," Smyth said. "We're so far healthy, we're communicating with each other and we've found ways to put the puck in the net."

Patrick O'Sullivan put Los Angeles on top, 2-1, three minutes into the second when he collected the puck on a rebound and beat netminder Peter Budaj.

Milan Hejduk evened the score 61 seconds later with his team-leading sixth goal, intercepting an errant pass at the top of the offensive zone. He carried the puck to the right faceoff circle before beating LaBarbera with a wrist shot into the upper right corner.

David Jones put the Avalanche on top for the first time when his slap shot from inside the blue line found the back of the net 75 seconds later.

"Youth had nothing to do with it," Kings coach Terry Murray said. "We had some problems managing the puck. You lose focus for 12 minutes and it cost you the game."

Smyth sealed the victory with 3:28 remaining in the second when he skated up the left wing, pulled in front of Kings rookie defenseman Drew Doughty and cut toward the net. Smyth backhanded the puck over LaBarbera's left shoulder to give Colorado a 4-2 lead.

"Once I got there, I wanted to take it to the net," Smyth said. "(The puck) got up for me."

LaBarbera made 10 saves before being pulled in favor of Erik Ersberg, who stopped the only two shots he faced in the third period.

"It was about the team," Murray said of his decision to replace LaBarbera. "I'm not putting anybody on an island. We had the puck and lost it and they scored. We have to manage the puck."

Doughty, the second overall pick in June's draft, brought Los Angeles back within one goal just 2:25 into the third period. The 18-year-old London, Ontario native carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle which beat Budaj.

"It was a big confidence booster for me," Doughty said. "Now that I've got (my first goal), my confidence has gone up. Hopefully I can continue to contribute and help the team."

Los Angeles failed to notch the equalizer as Budaj finished with 26 saves to earn his first victory of the season.

"I felt great. The guys played a great effort, especially in the third period," Budaj said. "Credit the guys. It's a great feeling to get that first win."