[0] KINGS COME ALIVE; LATE SURGE BEATS CAPS : KINGS 5, WASHINGTON 2.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

The Kings knew what it was like to have five straight goals dropped on them, so they wanted to stay humble. But when they did it Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals, it was hard not to crack a collective smile.

Donald Audette's grin was the biggest. His second line had been benched for the final six minutes of last Friday's meltdown against Phoenix. This time he had two goals, an assist and an all-around game that helped inspire a Staples Center crowd of 13,169.

``This really showed what we can do,'' Audette said of the Kings' second straight victory. ``We got down on the scoreboard, but not on the ice. We were playing a good team tonight and we played them hard.''

Audette's second goal provided the final margin of victory, but the Kings really put it away when they scored twice within 33 seconds midway through the third period.

Rob Blake broke the tie with 11:44 left in the game. Blake, who leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, took a slick pass from Ziggy Palffy at the point and beat Caps goalie Olaf Kolzig.

Less than a minute later, Bryan Smolinski slipped through the Washington defense, took a pass from Audette and fired the puck over Kolzig's right shoulder.

Kolzig smashed his stick on the ground and threw it.

But he wasn't nearly as angry as Washington coach Ron Wilson, who faces his former team, the Mighty Ducks, on Friday.

``I'm looking for results here and a commitment to play for the team,'' he said. ``If guys don't want to play the way that I ask them to play, then I'll just leave. It's simple. If they want someone else, fine. That no big deal to me. Trust me, I'll find something else to do.''

Pretty strong stuff for the eighth game of the season. Less than three weeks ago, the Washington (2-4-2) rallied for a tie after trailing the Kings by two goals in the third period. Six days ago, the Kings had a 3-1 lead over Phoenix and a man advantage but allowed a short-handed goal and four more after that.

Now the Kings, who play Pittsburgh on Thursday, have won two straight after opening the homestand 0-1-1.

``The most important thing after a bad loss is how you respond to the adversity,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``We started a little sluggish tonight, but I was very happy with the way everyone played.''

Murray was happiest with the performance of his defense, which kept the Caps away from goalie Jamie Storr, who started Tuesday after playing just one period in the first 10 games.

Storr, who allowed goals to Peter Bondra and Calle Johansson in the first period, had an otherwise quiet night. The Capitals had just three shots on goal in the second period and just 17 for the game.

But he showed none of the ill effects from a tender right groin that forced him out of an Oct. 7 game in Tampa Bay.

``Our defense was just incredible tonight,'' Storr said. ``I can't even single one player out, they were all so good. After the first period, they made it easy for me.''

Although the Kings lead the league on the power play, their man advantage backfired with 8:31 left in the first period when Washington scored a shorthanded goal.

With just 10 second remaining in the holding penalty by Ken Klee, Kings defenseman Garry Galley lost the puck to Bondra at the blue line. Bondra, perhaps the league's fastest skater, swooped down on Storr and fired it over his left shoulder to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.

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PHOTO Peter Bondra beat Kings goalie Jamie Storr on this play but L.A. beat Washington.