LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Martin Jones added to the already spectacular start to his NHL career Thursday by carrying Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory over San Jose.
It was the seventh start for Jones in his rookie season and he has been the winning goaltender in all of them. He came into the game with a 0.82 goals-against average and almost pulled off what would have been his fourth shutout in those seven appearances.
Jones did not give up a goal until Patrick Marleau scored with just 2:10 remaining in the game.
The Kings won their second straight, moving to within a point of idle Anaheim for the lead in the Pacific Division.
Los Angeles gave Jones plenty of support, although Alec Martinez did not score the game's first goal until 5:26 had gone by in the second period.
Tyler Toffoli also scored in the middle stanza and the Kings came up with goals from Jeff Carter and Dwight King in the third.
The loss went to Antti Niemi, who stopped 26-of-30 shots.
