Aubin gets 45 saves to anchor Kings’ 5-2 win

SAN JOSE -- Welcome to the Pacific Division sweepstakes, also known as November.

The Kings’ first step into this month-long divisional fray looked emphatic, resulting in one of their most impressive performances of the season, a 5-2 victory over the Sharks on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 17,496 at HP Pavilion.

The Kings were boosted by a 45-save performance by goalie J.S. Aubin, a goal from Matt Moulson in his NHL debut and two goals from Dustin Brown, the second an empty-netter, and a goal and two assists by Michael Cammalleri.

Cammalleri’s goal was his 11th of the season and his first in four games. Alexander Frolov had two assists.

All this came against the same Sharks seemingly picked by every national publication to win the Stanley Cup. Instead, they were getting booed by their fans after a futile power-play effort late in the third period.

The Kings, on the other hand, had to face preseason criticism with goaltending painted as a potential liability. But Jason LaBarbera put together a four-game winning streak last month, and Aubin has won two of his last three starts and was sensational against the Sharks, especially in the first period before his team adjusted.

“I think we’ve got two pretty good goalies,” said Aubin, with a laugh, speaking of himself and LaBarbera.

“I think we’re fine now. Seriously, Barbs has been on fire. It’s good for me to see that from the bench. And when I stepped out on the ice, I felt pretty comfortable.”

This was his first win since beating Minnesota in a shootout on Oct. 16. In between then and now, he was pulled after two periods in Calgary.

So for Aubin, this game held extra significance.

“I haven’t played in a couple of weeks,” he said, “and to come out like that, it not only shows my teammates that I was ready, but it proves a lot to me. It was a huge win.”

If the game was huge for him, it represented a career breakthrough for Moulson, who was recalled from the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Manchester on Thursday when forward Kyle Calder suffered a fractured left thumb requiring surgery. He is not expected back until late this month.

Moulson said he was able to sleep on the plane flying to San Jose but had difficulty getting much rest after arriving because of his nerves.

Then came his NHL debut -- and goal at 14:36 of the second period to make it 2-1 -- as he beat Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov on the stick side with a wrist shot from the slot.

He was asked about the goal, but instead spoke about the nerves of the opening minutes.

“I thought it was going to be a pretty long night after my first shift,” said Moulson, who started the game on a line with Frolov and Derek Armstrong.

“We were in our own zone for about a minute and half against Joe Thornton’s line. Got the nerves out after that first one.

“It was an exciting game and I calmed down after the first period and in the second I played a lot better. The first period wasn’t my best.”

The Kings, however, didn’t leave San Jose intact.

Another game, another broken bone.

This time it was Kings enforcer Raitis Ivanans feeling the hurt. He suffered a broken cheekbone, having taken a Rob Blake slap shot to the face midway through the first period.

Showing an incredible pain threshold, Ivanans did not go down, but dropped his gloves and was able to skate to the Kings’ bench.

He did not return. Ivanans was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated and was expected to meet the team at the airport for the flight home Friday night.

“It’s unfortunate for Ivan,” Kings Coach Marc Crawford said. “I thought that Ivan was one of our best players in the first period. Hopefully, it’s not too serious. I know we’re having him looked at right now and we’ll see when we get back.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Sharks, 7:30 p.m.

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- Staples Center.

Records -- Kings 7-7; Sharks 6-6-1.

Record vs. Sharks -- 1-0.

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com