NHL: Colorado 5, Los Angeles 2

DENVER, March 2 (UPI) -- Left wing Ryan Smyth scored twice before leaving the game with an injury Saturday and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2.

Smyth's 13th and 14th goals of the season came in the second period when Colorado scored three times.

He was removed from the ice on a stretcher with 28.5 seconds remaining in the second period, after being driven hard into the glass at the end of the bench by Los Angeles defenseman Jack Johnson. His condition was not disclosed.

Colorado's Ruslan Salei had a goal and an assist. Joe Sakic and Andre Brunette (empty net) also scored.

Jordan Leopold had three assists and netminder Jose Theodore made 23 saves on 25 shots for the Avalanche, who have won three in a row for the first time since Jan. 12-15.

Los Angeles got one goal apiece from Michael Cammalleri and Rob Blake. Anze Kopitar assisted on both goals while Dan Cloutier was beaten four times on 27 shots for the Kings, who have lost three straight.