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Associated Press
10/31/2006 1:25:58 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Defenceman Brent Sopel scored the first two goals of the game, Sean Avery had a goal and an assist, and the Los Angeles Kings dominated the New York Rangers in the first period en route to a 4-1 victory Monday night.

Alexander Frolov also scored and Craig Conroy had two assists for the Kings, who won for only the second time in their last 11 games and snapped a five-game losing streak after returning from a four-game road trip. Mathieu Garon made 28 saves.

Brendan Shanahan scored for the Rangers, who were 0-for-9 on the power play. The loss was their first on the road against the Kings since March 9, 2000.

Los Angeles led 2-0 through one period after outshooting New York 21-5 with the help of five power plays, one of which led to Sopel's second goal of the game and fourth this season. He had only two in 68 games last season with the Kings and New York Islanders before undergoing surgery on his right knee in May.

Sopel, who missed the previous two games with a sore foot after blocking a shot in Wednesday's loss at Minnesota, opened the scoring at 5:06 of the first period with the teams skating 4-on-4. His one-timer from 50 feet deflected off the right skate of Rangers centre Blair Betts in the high slot and flew over goalie Henrik Lundqvist's glove.

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