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Kings after two periods: Kings 2, Canucks 0

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Again getting a good bounce -- but being as good as they were lucky in this instance -- the Kings scored off someone’s foot to take a 2-0 lead over the Vancouver Canucks at 3:36 of the second period Friday at Staples Center.

Justin Williams’ low shot caromed off the inside of Kevin Bieksa’s right foot and between Roberto Luongo’s pads, capping a passing sequence that gave rookie defenseman Jake Muzzin his first NHL point.

Ryan Smyth was in the middle of the ice when he sent a lead pass to Muzzin, who slid the puck back to Williams in the slot. After Williams’ shot deflected off Bieksa, Muzzin got the second assist.

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In the meantime, Jonathan Quick was coolly stopping everything flung toward him by the Canucks, including one shot during a power play that they gained when Anze Kopitar was sent off for holding Ryan Kesler at 14:52.

Through two periods the Canucks had outshot the Kings, 18-10, but the Kings had a 2-0 edge.

Vancouver defenseman Keith Ballard, who was crunched into the boards by Kings forward Brad Richardson late in the first period and appeared to have injured his hip or leg, did not return for the second period.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott

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