Kings Put Brakes to Skid

CHICAGO —  Put a slash through the streak.

The Kings, winless since Dec. 16, finally found themselves with more goals than their opponent, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks, 2-1, Sunday and ending the third-longest winless streak in franchise history at 14 games.

Luc Robitaille was back in the lineup -- and contributing on the score sheet -- and Alexander Frolov continued to assert himself as the Kings’ top hope on offense in the absence of guys named Palffy, Straka, Allison and Deadmarsh.

Quite simply, Frolov’s one-on-one play, one of the best individual efforts on the team this season, earned the Kings the victory.

With the score tied, 1-1, and momentum blowing in the direction of the Blackhawks, Frolov turned defenseman Johnathan Aitken inside-out at the right circle and beat Craig Anderson though the pads with a forehand after faking a backhand in front of the crease.

Frolov’s goal, with 8 minutes 26 seconds to play, helped move the Kings into eighth place in the Western Conference and quieted the crowd of 13,504 in United Center.

Frolov, in his second season, has a team-high 14 goals, tying his total from last season.

“That’s a highlight goal right there,” forward Ian Laperriere said. “Rarely do you see that from a sophomore. He’s just improving every game. He’s so strong on the puck.”

On the other end of the experience spectrum, Robitaille returned after two healthy scratches and helped set up the Kings’ first goal 10:57 into the second period.

Robitaille, skating down the left boards, sent a cross-ice pass to Trent Klatt in the right circle. Klatt snapped the puck to Derek Armstrong, who was cruising down the slot for a one-timer to Anderson’s stick side.

A healthy scratch only three times in 18 seasons, Robitaille had a team-high four shots as the Kings ended their longest winless streak (0-3-9-2) since the 1981-82 season.

“I still say this should have never happened,” Robitaille said. “It’s going to hurt. I was really, really disappointed. It hasn’t been a fun four days.

“On the other hand, my teammates have been great. I went out there tonight and played with them and for them.”

Said Coach Andy Murray: “Luc looked like he was fresh and had a lot of energy.”

Robitaille wasn’t the only one.

Roman Cechmanek continued a recent stream of steady play with 34 saves and the King penalty kill, maligned and moribund throughout the season, also played an important part.

The Kings started the game with the league’s third-worst penalty kill, but they denied the Blackhawks in a five-on-three power play that lasted a minute early in the third period.

These are the type of low-scoring, low-turnover efforts the Kings need if they are to remain in the playoff hunt.

“It’s pretty obvious these are the kind of games we’re going to win,” Laperriere said. “Nothing fancy, just hard work.”

The Blackhawks tied the score, 1-1, 5:37 into the third period on an unscreened slap shot from the point by Alexei Zhamnov, who scored his fourth goal in nine games since sitting out 35 games because of back problems.

But the Kings held on after Frolov reestablished the lead, finishing with five of a possible eight points on their four-game trip.

And, perhaps more important, finally clearing the winless streak out of their own zone.

“It’s our first win after a long time,” Frolov said. “It’s a great feeling.”

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Right wing John Tripp left in the first period after getting punched in the nose by Aitken in a fight. Tripp was taken to a hospital to determine the extent of the injury.... Forward Sean Avery, the league’s most penalized player, was a healthy scratch for the second time this season. Avery had one shot on goal in his last three games, his least active offensive stretch of the season.... Enforcer Kip Brennan, eligible to play Sunday after serving a 10-game suspension, was also a healthy scratch.