Avalanche takes down Kings, 5-2

DENVER -- Ryan Smyth scored two second-period goals then was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being checked into the boards, Jordan Leopold had three assists and the Colorado Avalanche halted a four-game home skid with a 5-2 win over the Kings on Saturday night.

Smyth was injured when Kings defenseman Jack Johnson checked him into the glass at the end of the Avalanche bench late in the second period.

The Colorado forward lay motionless on the ice for several minutes as trainers rushed to attend to him. The Avalanche reported that he was conscious and walking but was sent to the hospital for further examination.

Smyth’s goals, his 13th and 14th of the season, came 1:50 apart.

The Kings had a bit of good news, with forward Scott Thornton back in the lineup after sitting out six games because of an upper-body injury. Rob Blake scored against his former team, his sixth goal of the season, and Michael Cammalleri had a power-play goal early in the second period. Anze Kopitar had two assists for the Kings, giving him 36 this season.

Joe Sakic scored his ninth goal of the season for Colorado, and Ruslan Salei had his first goal in an Avalanche sweater. Salei was acquired from Florida just before the trade deadline. He had three goals in 65 games with the Panthers.

Andrew Brunette added an empty-net goal with 49 seconds remaining after the Kings pulled goalie Dan Cloutier near the 2-minute mark. The Kings were again without Jason LaBarbera, who missed his fourth straight game because of a groin injury.

After his hit on Smyth, Johnson was booed each time he touched the puck. Ian Laperriere went after Johnson early in the third period, but Blake stepped into the fray, breaking it up. All three were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Avalanche has won three in a row since the signing of Peter Forsberg, who hasn’t suited up for the team yet.

TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 4 PST, FSN Prime

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul.

Records -- Kings 26-36-4, Wild 36-24-5.

Record vs. Wild -- 1-1.

Update -- The lone move the Wild made at the trade deadline, acquiring controversial and oft-suspended enforcer Chris Simon from the New York Islanders, drew largely negative reaction from the fans and local media. After he played in two road games, his home debut will be tonight. Marian Gaborik leads the Wild with 33 goals and 64 points.

-- Lisa Dillman