Kings after one: Quick pulled, penalty-killing streak ends, Avalanche up, 3-1

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The Kings’ penalty-killing streak ended at 29 Wednesday, during a double-minor called against Brad Richardson for high-sticking Scott Hannan in the nose. Before the period ended, Colorado had scored another man-advantage goal, Jonathan Quick had been pulled in favor of Erik Ersberg, and the Avalanche took a 3-1 lead.

Colorado scored first, after a shot Matt Hendricks threw in front bounced off someone in front--maybe Kings defenseman Jack Johnson--and past Quick at 7:38. The Kings matched that at the 10-minute mark, when Wayne Simmonds took a shot that Craig Anderson saved but the rebound bounced to the left side. Anze Kopitar was in too deep for a forehand shot, so he turned and lifted a backhander for his career-best 33rd goal.

With Richardson in the box, Colorado set up in the Kings’ zone and scored at 13:21 on a nice one-timer by Milan Hejduk, set up by Peter Mueller. The Avalanche had a five-on-three advantage for 15 seconds and didn’t capitalize on that but did score at 18:08. Drew Doughty’s stick broke and he took Michal Handzus’ stick--and that stick inadvertently deflected Paul Stastny’s throw-it-at-the-net shot past Quick on Colorado’s 16th shot.

That was it for Quick. Ersberg replaced him--Jonathan Bernier must have been too far away--and made his first appearance since Feb. 11. Coach Terry Murray had said he would start Quick tonight and again Thursday at St. Louis, but this might change his plans. Or pulling Quick might have been his way to give Quick some rest and be able to return sharp Thursday. We’ll find out later.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post misidentified Paul Stastny’s first name as Peter.

-- Helene Elliott, in Denver