Kings’ Jeff Carter answers boos in Columbus

The boos reverberated as soon as the announcement of the starting lineup came out at Nationwide Arena on Monday night, the Kings’ lineup including center Jeff Carter.

Carter’s absence has not made the hearts of Columbus Blue Jackets fans grow fonder. Carter has been gone for nearly three years, traded to the Kings right before the deadline in 2012.

For Carter and the Kings, it’s too bad the Blue Jackets are in the Eastern Conference now. Since the trade to the Kings, Carter has recorded four goals and nine points in eight games against the Blue Jackets.

Carter had a goal — his 15th of the season — and an assist. He had five shots on goal and finished a plus-one. The line of left wing Dwight King, Carter and Tyler Toffoli combined for five points in the Kings’ 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets.

The Kings are 11-0-0 this season when Carter has multipoint performances.

“He’s a big-game player,” King said. “A big part of our team, a great player and he had a big night for us. He shows up when it counts and he works hard, leads by example.”

With that victory, after a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday, it was the first time the Kings have won consecutive games since mid-December. They next play the Calgary Flames on Thursday at Staples Center and continue to jostle for position in the crowded mosh pit of the Western Conference playoff race

Was their third-period collapse at Florida a wakeup call?

“Obviously, it was a month’s worth of mediocre hockey that got us into the position,” King said. “As far as that game goes, I thought we actually played a decent game and those mistakes cost you in this league.

“I like the mindset to get back on it and keep working the last two games. ... We need to go home and continue that.”

Bob Miller’s story

Filmmaker Charlie Minn’s documentary “Voice of the King” tells the story of Bob Miller, the Kings’ Hall of Fame announcer.

It premiered in December and is available on DVD at the Kings store in Staples Center.

One quote from Miller in the film’s trailer sums up his guiding philosophy. Miller: “I get excited about doing live television.”