Dubois brace lifts Kings 5-1 over Jackets

Pierre-Luc Dubois netted two goals for the Los Angeles Kings in a convincing 5-1 victory against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Quinton Byfield and Drew Doughty each contributed a goal and an assist, while Kevin Fiala also found the net. Cam Talbot made 33 saves and even added an assist for the Kings, who are currently on a four-game winning streak. Adam Boqvist scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 31 shots. The Blue Jackets have now dropped three of their last four games.

Byfield initiated the scoring for the Kings with a remarkable individual effort at 18:22 of the first period. He seized control of the puck following a faceoff win by the Kings in the Columbus zone, showcasing skillful maneuvering as he raced across both blue lines. Byfield skillfully pulled the puck between the defender’s skates, kicked it in front of him, and scored with a backhand while on one knee.

Dubois extended the Kings’ lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 1:27 of the second period. A slick play by rookie defenseman Brandt Clarke set up Dubois for a one-timer from the left circle. Columbus responded with Boqvist’s goal at 4:41 of the second, banking the puck off Talbot’s skate.

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Dubois struck again to make it 3-1 at 11:49 of the second period, stopping a centering pass from Byfield and slipping it between Merzlikins’ pads. Although the Kings thought they had a fourth goal by Doughty at 18:15 of the second, it was disallowed after a video review for goalie interference.

Fiala scored on a power play to make it 4-1 at 15:56 of the third, and Doughty sealed the victory with an additional goal with 22 seconds left. Kings left winger Viktor Arvidsson, returning from back surgery, played just the first 17 seconds of the game and did not return due to a lower-body injury.