Senators topple Kings

NHL teams

"It was the first period more than anything. To get out of that period with a lead was huge," Tugnutt said. "Over the last two periods, you really have to hand it to our defense. After Redden got his penalty, we were down to five and they were tremendous in the second and third."

Ottawa's defenseman Wade Redden was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing the Kings' Josef Stumpel.

After Luc Robitaille had tied the game at 1-1 in the third period, Ottawa's captain Alex Yashin netted his eighth goal for the season restoring the Sens' lead for good.

"We were very happy with the win. It's good to get two points sometimes when you know you don't deserve it," he added. "Tugnutt kept us in the game and made it possible for us to win in the third period."

The Kings outshot and clearly outplayed Ottawa, but managed to find a way to lose, again. Los Angeles is on a four-game losing streak and has only one win in their last 11 games.

"We outplayed them plain and simple, they got the breaks we didn't," Kings coach Larry Robinson said. "We've got a huge black cloud hanging over our head and it's tough to get rid of. What can I say? The guys are giving their all and we're just not winning."