LOS ANGELES -- Two third-period goals by Jeff Carter and another one by Vinny Lecavalier allowed the Los Angeles Kings to break open a close contest and cruise to a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night at Staples Center.

Carter scored at 11:39 of the third for a 3-1 advantage before Lecavalier added his sixth this season on a breakaway 39 seconds later. Carter scored again -- his 17th goal of the season -- with 3:57 left in the contest on an empty-netter for the 300th of his career.

The third-quarter barrage boosted the Kings (39-22-4) back in the win column after Saturday's disappointing 3-2 setback to the rival Anaheim Ducks. They closed within a point of the Pacific Division-leading Ducks, who had their 11-game winning streak snapped Monday by the Washington Capitals.

Anze Kopitar had a goal and two assists for Los Angeles. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty also scored and had an assist.

Goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 20 of 21 shots for the Kings, who have won three of the four clashes with the Canucks this season.

Goalie Ryan Miller recorded 22 saves for the Canucks (25-28-12), who have dropped four of their last five.

Defenseman Dan Hamhuis put the Canucks up 1-0, taking a pass from Linden Vey and scoring at 2:39 of the second period. It was Hamhuis' second goal this season and the 300th point of his career.

The Kings tied the score on a Doughty goal at 10:07 of the second. Doughty fired a shot from the left circle that bounced off Miller and trickled into the net for his 13th goal of the season.

Kopitar gave the Kings a 2-1 lead with his 20th goal, going top shelf over Miller with a wrist shot from the right circle on a power play at 12:06 of the second.

NOTES: The Kings honored former standout Jimmy Carson before the game as part of its "Legends Night Series." Carson was the Kings' second selection in the 1986 NHL Draft. He went on to become just the second player to score more than 50 goals -- he tallied 55 -- before turning 20 years old, doing it during the 1987-88 season. Wayne Gretzky was the first to accomplish the feat. ... Vancouver scratched D Christopher Tanev, C Henrik Sedin and RW Jannik Hansen. D Jamie McBain and C Andy Andreoff were unavailable for Los Angeles. ... The two teams face off in their final regular-season meeting April 4 at Vancouver. ... Both clubs resume play Wednesday. The Canucks host the Arizona Coyotes, while the Kings play the Washington Capitals at Staples Center.