[0] KINGS SHUT DOWN WINGS, TIE FOR 5TH IN WEST L.A. BEATS BEST TO END WINLESS STREAK KINGS 3, DETROIT 0.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Putrid penalty killing, questionable goalkeeping and inconsistent defense all contributed to the Kings' winless streak of five games, which made it all the more remarkable that they shut out the NHL's best offensive team Thursday night.

The Kings ended their skid with a playoff-caliber performance, as Aaron Miller and Jason Allison scored second-period goals and Felix Potvin made 30 saves to carry the Kings to a 3-0 victory over the Red Wings in front of a franchise-record crowd of 18,621 at Staples Center.

With the victory, and San Jose's victory over Phoenix, the Kings (89 points) moved into a tie for fifth place in the Western Conference, although the Coyotes hold the tiebreaker. The Kings and the Coyotes remain two points ahead of idle Edmonton, and two points behind San Jose and Chicago.

In addition to scoring his goal, Allison also sparked the third goal, when he knocked Detroit defenseman Steve Duchesne off the puck near the right boards. Kelly Buchberger skated toward the center of the net and one-timed a perfect pass from Allison past Detroit goalkeeper Dominik Hasek with 4:54 remaining in the game.

The Kings killed the only two power plays they allowed the Red Wings, after having allowed 10 goals in their opponents' past 31 chances, and played disciplined defense against the dangerous Detroit forwards.

Potvin, who had given up at least four goals in three of his past four games, played a brilliant third period under heavy pressure and recorded his fifth shutout of the season. The Red Wings, who already have clinched home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, have one victory in their past six games.

The game ended in perfect fashion for the Kings, but it began with equal parts encouragement and frustration. They controlled the pace for much of the opening period and showed great improvement on defense from the past few games, particularly on the penalty kill.

Detroit had two power plays in the first 10 minutes, but the Kings played an aggressive style and actually had better chances than the Red Wings while killing those penalties. Midway through the period, Hasek had to sprawl and knock the puck away with his stick when Eric Belanger skated in alone for a shorthanded chance.

It seemed as though the Kings might turn that momentum into a goal when Detroit's Mathieu Dandenault went off for hooking with eight minutes left in the period, but the Kings could not get a good scoring chance.

Igor Larionov went off for two minutes when he tripped Allison, and on the ensuing power play, Allison drew a hooking penalty on Dandenault. The Kings had a two-man advantage for 26 seconds, but the Red Wings prevented them from having a serious scoring chance.

Detroit started the second period with increased energy in the first five minutes but could not score, and soon after the Kings reclaimed control.

The Kings had five good scoring chances in a six-minute span and seemed to be on the verge of scoring but could not beat Hasek. Midway through the period, Hasek made tough saves on one-timers by Ziggy Palffy and Jaroslav Bednar.

With seven minutes remaining in the period, Cliff Ronning put a shot on Hasek and Allison pounced on the rebound but could not put it in. The Kings were able to keep the puck in the Detroit zone, however, as Ronning battled for it in the corner.

Ronning worked the puck out to Miller just inside the blue line, and Miller, all alone, took two strides and fired a slap shot on net. Hasek came out to cut down the angle, but Miller's rising shot beat him with 6:41 remaining in the period.

The Kings went on the power play just over two minutes later and could not score, but they took a 2-0 lead with 2:06 remaining. Adam Deadmarsh broke free of a battle with Detroit's Sean Avery just inside the blue line and started a 2-on-1 with Allison, with Duchesne back.

Deadmarsh beat Duchesne with the pass and Allison beat Hasek with a one-time wrist shot.

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Photo:

The Kings celebrate Aaron Miller's goal in the second period against the Red Wings at Staples Center on Thursday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer