LOS ANGELES – Half a dozen fights broke out on the ice as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Staples Center on Thursday night in a chippy contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Cam Atkinson snuck a shot past Jonathan Quick 6 minutes and 22 seconds into the first period off a power play to give the Blue Jackets an early 1-0 lead.

Alec Martinez answered six minutes later with a PP goal of his own after his slapshot from the left side of the ice found the back of the net and the game was tied at 1-1.

The Kings caught an unlucky break in the final moments of the first period when Nick Foligno's shot deflected off Brandon Dubinsky's shin guard and into the net to give Columbus the lead heading into the first intermission.

Jack Johnson scored a point against his former team after he delivered a great backpass to Gregory Campbell who beat Quick to his glove side and the Blue Jackets had a commanding 3-1 lead.

Jeff Carter scored off a face off in the Columbus zone with less than a minute to play, but it was not enough to rescue the Kings as they fell 3-2.

TURNING POINT

"All I need are some heavy boots, and a pair of shin guards," wrote American author Brandon Mull.

With the game knotted up at 1-1, Nick Foligno's errant shot found center Brandon Dubinsky's shin as the puck deflected off the plastic protector and into the Kings net. The random goal would prove to be the game-winner.

MVP OF THE GAME

Brandon Dubinsky's shin.



If ice hockey doesn't work out for the Alaska native, he'll always have a spot in the Albuquerque indie rock band that graced the Garden State soundtrack.

STAT OF THE NIGHT

The Kings allowed zero shots during the second period, tying the club record for fewest shots allowed in a period at home since April 5, 1978.

TWEET OF THE NIGHT

Two events for the price of one?



PHOTO OF THE NIGHT

This kid clearly can't handle his seats alongside the glass.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"The shot was just unlucky there. Bounces are going to happen, they happen both ways. We just have to deal with it," said Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin of Dubinsky's goal.

NOTES

The Kings three-game winning streak and six-game streak at home over Columbus was snapped with the loss.

RECORD

Kings 8-5-0 (4-1-0 on road) first place in Pacific Division.

Blue Jackets 4-10-0 (4-5 on road) last place in Metropolitan Division.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Blue Jackets will stay in the LA area where they will take on the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow on the second night of a back-to-back.

The LA Kings will host the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.