Kings stuck in Columbus jam, 2-1

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One by one, the Blue Jackets marched to the penalty box -- defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen seemed intent on taking up permanent residence -- and presented the Kings with seven consecutive power-play opportunities.

Had Kings Coach Marc Crawford’s words about officiating the other night against the Red Wings made the three-hour trip from Detroit to Columbus and acted as an influence? He had said that the lack of calls against the Red Wings happen when “people perceive you not to be a very good team.”

Well . . .

Perception is turning into reality with December becoming the cruelest month for the Kings; forget about April. Columbus gave up one power-play goal in those seven chances and benefited from two questionable officiating decisions, defeating the Kings, 2-1, Friday night at Nationwide Arena in front of 14,034.

The Kings’ power play was hampered by the absence of Dustin Brown’s physical presence in front of the net. Brown, who suffered a shoulder injury in the third period at Detroit, skated in the morning but was not ready to return. He said the shoulder is greatly improved from Thursday, but he is considered doubtful for tonight in Nashville.

This was the last-place Kings’ sixth consecutive loss, a season worst, and they are 4-11-1 on the road. They lost six consecutive games near the end of last season, stopping the slide by winning the season finale.

The game-winner, 37 seconds into the third period, came from Nikolai Zherdev’s deflection in front off a sharply angled centering pass from defenseman Ron Hainsey, who was deep in the left corner.

For the Kings, Michael Cammalleri ended his drought, scoring his first goal in eight games, putting them ahead, 1-0, at 13:19. His goal from the right circle, coming on the power play, was his 15th of the season, glancing off the skate of a Columbus defenseman.

Then there was the Kings’ goal that wasn’t.

After Kris Russell went off for holding at 13:57 of the first, it appeared as though the Kings had taken a two-goal lead when Cammalleri’s centering pass went off defenseman Rob Blake’s skate. It was, however, immediately ruled no goal.

“I was in the crease, that was the ruling, I guess,” Blake said. “I guess you can blow the whistle if I’m in the crease, but there was no whistle on the play until the puck went in the net.”

The other call going against the Kings was inexplicable and made it 1-1 at 17:13 of the second. Kings goalie Jason LaBarbera saved the initial shot from Zherdev, and the puck disappeared from view. But center Jiri Novotny swooped in at the left post and poked at it and jammed the puck under LaBarbera.

“It should have been disallowed too,” the Kings’ Anze Kopitar said. “Jason had it at least two seconds. And then he jammed it in. It’s obviously not a goal.”

Said Crawford: “He did have it. He had it and their guy poked at it. That’s interpretation. You’re not supposed to comment on interpretation.”

Given another opportunity to do so, Crawford declined.

But LaBarbera was clearly annoyed by the turn of events, which turned out to be the back end of a two-goal swing.

“I had it,” LaBarbera said. “It was under me the whole time. I’m like, ‘Where’s the whistle?’ All of a sudden Novotny comes in and spears me and the puck goes in. It was more than a couple of seconds.”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com