NHL: Columbus 3, Los Angeles 1

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 8 (UPI) -- Curtis Sanford came on in relief of the injured Steve Mason and stopped all 13 shots he faced Thursday in boosting Columbus to a 3-1 win over Los Angeles.

The Blue Jackets have won a season-best four games in a row, although their total of 22 victories is still the smallest in the NHL.

Mason left the game in the second period with a hand injury, having allowed a goal on 17 shots. Sanford protected the Columbus lead in his first action of the month.

Jack Johnson gave the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead by scoring on a slap shot with 9 seconds to go in the opening period. Mark Letestu finished the scoring by putting a slap shot past Jonathan Bernier 3:07 into the second.

Letestu also scored in the opening period, after which Anze Kopitar had a shorthanded goal to lift the Kings into a tie.

Los Angeles had won three in a row. Bernier allowed the three goals on 36 shots.