Kings hold edge on Oilers

Jason LaBarbera made 22 saves, and Anze Kopitar and Patrick O’Sullivan each had a goal and an assist in the Kings’ 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night.

Kopitar broke a tie midway through the second period, batting the puck out of the air and into the net, to help the Kings end a two-game losing streak. The Kings improved to 9-9-3 with their second win in six games.

Ales Hemsky scored for Edmonton. The Oilers have lost two straight and five of their last six to drop to 9-10-2.

The Kings opened the scoring early in the first period with the teams playing four on four. Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson was able to make a save on Kopitar’s screen shot, but O’Sullivan scored off the rebound.

Edmonton tied it midway through the period. Dustin Penner drove to the net and backhanded a pass to Hemsky, who had plenty of time to tuck the puck into an open net past LaBarbera.

LaBarbera got his first start in goal Nov. 1, though he replaced Erik Ersberg in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss at Calgary. LaBarbera started the first 10 games of the season.