Quick outduels Bobrovsky, and LA Kings slow Columbus Blue Jackets' roll with a 2-1 victory

Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) and Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Matt Calvert (11) slam into the boards in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles Thursday, April 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) (The Associated Press)

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Marian Gaborik (10) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7) battle in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, April 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) (The Associated Press)

Kyle Clifford scored the tiebreaking goal, Jonathan Quick made 20 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings slowed the Columbus Blue Jackets' late-season surge with a 2-1 victory Thursday night.

Drew Doughty scored an early power-play goal for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who kept pace with San Jose for fourth place in the Western Conference by snapping Columbus' five-game winning streak one shy of the franchise record in a defense-dominated game.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 21 shots and Dalton Prout scored his first NHL goal for the eighth-place Blue Jackets, who lost for the first time in four stops on their six-game trip.