GREG BEACHAM
AP Hockey Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kings linemates Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson each had a goal and an assist in Los Angeles’ first victory of the season, 4-1 over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night.
Anze Kopitar also scored and Drew Doughty had two assists for the Stanley Cup champions, who had lost the first two games of their title defense.
Martin Jones made 29 saves for the Kings, who took a 4-0 lead in the second period. Los Angeles got a dominant game from That 70s Line — the jersey-number-inspired nickname for Carter’s line with youngsters Toffoli and Pearson, formed during last spring’s title run.
Bryan Little scored for Winnipeg, which lost two of three on its season-opening road trip, scoring just one goal in back-to-back California weekend losses.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 10 of 13 shots before getting pulled from his first start of the season and his fourth career NHL appearance. Ondrej Pavelec finished up the Jets’ second loss in two appearances at Staples Center.
The Kings were shut out by San Jose in their banner-raising home opener last Wednesday, and they blew an early two-goal lead before losing in overtime at Arizona on Saturday night. With the Stanley Cup finally put away and the banners affixed to the rafters, the Kings began a six-game homestand with the same type of physical, skilled hockey that led to a championship four months ago.
After Toffoli opened the scoring with a rebound goal, Kopitar got his first point of the season midway through the first period with a goal set up by Marian Gaborik, who also recorded his first point. Doughty assisted on both goals for his first multipoint game of the season after managing just four last year.
Hutchinson couldn’t squeeze a stoppable shot by Pearson early in the second period, and Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice sent Pavelec over the boards.
Shortly after Carter scored on Toffoli’s rebound late in the second, Little converted Michael Frolik’s rebound for his third goal in three games.
Jones punctuated his sharp outing with a point-blank save on an undefended Andrew Ladd early in the third period.
NOTES: The Kings earned at least a point in all seven visits to Staples Center by the Atlanta Thrashers, who moved to Winnipeg in 2011. … Los Angeles D Jake Muzzin still hasn’t played this season because of an undisclosed injury, but says he is close. Brayden McNabb played his third straight game in Muzzin’s place. … Winnipeg opens a five-game homestand Thursday against Nashville. … Jets F Evander Kane missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury that will keep him out for two weeks.
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