THE Los Angeles Kings broke open a scoreless game with three third-period goals to beat the division-leading Vancouver Canucks 3-0 in the North American National Hockey League.
Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey stopped 43 shots, including 17 in the final period, for his second shutout of the season and the 15th of his career.
Jari Kurri, Jimmy Carson and Tony Granato scored to end a four-game Los Angeles losing streak against Vancouver and a seven-game winless streak overall..
Kurri's goal 4:42 into the final period broke the deadlock and Carson scored his 27th goal of the season 1:34 later. Granato's goal with 10:35 remaining completed the scoring.
The victory lifted the Kings past the Winnipeg Jets into third place in the Smythe Division with 57 points. The Canucks lead the division with 72 points.
The New York Rangers also rose to third place in their division by recording only their second victory in the last nine games, a 4-1 win over the St Louis Blues.
