Time Was Not on Johnson’s Side This Time

Craig Johnson’s third-period goal proved to be the decisive score in the Kings’ 3-1 victory at Colorado Monday night but he had an anxious moment at the end of the second period.

Johnson picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and then took one stride too many before shooting against Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy. By the time the puck went into the net, the period had expired.

“I didn’t know how much time was left. . . . I looked back over my left shoulder and saw their guy chasing, I thought I had a little time,” Johnson said.

“If I had looked at the clock, I probably would have put the puck into [Roy]’s pads anyway.”

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Coach Larry Robinson put the Kings’ top line of Jozef Stumpel, Glen Murray and Vladimir Tsyplakov back together, but he was really happy with the team’s other lines against Colorado.

Ray Ferraro centered Russ Courtnall and Johnson; Yanic Perreault skated with Roman Vopat and Steve McKenna; and Ian Laperriere was teamed with Matt Johnson and Dan Bylsma.

“I liked the way everyone played . . . I think that it really gave us four really balanced lines,” Robinson said. “I was very pleased with their efforts.”

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After losing three consecutive games and being shut out in back-to-back games at Buffalo and Philadelphia, the Kings finished their six-game trip with their second victory at Colorado this season.

“This was really important because we knew we had to get back to the way we used to play,” defenseman Mattias Norstrom said.

“This was a huge win because the hard part when you’re losing is that you always feel like you are not doing enough out there. So, Larry talked to us to stay patient and make the simple play.”

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The Kings recalled defenseman Jan Vopat from Utah of the International Hockey League.