Jonathan Quick leads Los Angeles Kings past Montreal 2-1 for their 5th consecutive win

Montreal Canadiens right winger Dale Weise (22) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) battle in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles Monday, March 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) (The Associated Press)

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi (24) and Los Angeles Kings left winger Kyle Clifford (13) fight in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles Monday, March 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) (The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – Jeff Carter scored his 250th career NHL goal on a power play, Jonathan Quick made 17 saves to remain unbeaten since the Olympic break, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Monday night for their fifth straight victory.

Jake Muzzin scored an early goal for the Kings, who have won four games in six days since the break to solidify their playoff position in the Pacific Division, 10 points ahead of fourth-place Vancouver.

Los Angeles hung on to an early lead for its first home victory over the Canadiens since March 8, 2003.

P.K. Subban scored and Peter Budaj stopped 20 shots for Montreal, which had won five of six. The Canadiens opened a four-game West Coast trip with their first regulation loss since Feb. 2.