LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Ryan Smyth scored the eventual game-winning goal during a wild third period Saturday, sparking the Los Angeles Kings to a 6-4 victory over Columbus.
Smyth turned back a late Columbus rally when he scored off a face-off with 3 1/2 minutes to go, putting the Kings up 5-3 after Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin had cut the Jackets' deficit from 4-1 to 4-3 midway through the third.
Less than a minute later, Nash scored his second goal of the period to again bring the Blue Jackets to within a single goal. But Justin Williams notched an empty-netter for Los Angeles to seal the win, which broke a five-game losing skid.
Jarret Stoll scored a pair of goals and Alec Martinez and Dustin Brown also found the net for the Kings. Jonathan Quick turned aside 30-of-34 shots for Los Angeles.
Matt Calvert added a score for Columbus, which wrapped up an 0-4 road trip.
Mathieu Garon stopped 30-of-35 shots for the Blue Jackets.
