There was no place like home for Jeff Carter and the Kings to roam free.
Returning to Staples Center after three weeks on the road against a San Jose Sharks team that had essentially owned them in their own barn, the Kings finally broke through Saturday.
Carter skated untouched down the left wing for a wrist shot that beat Sharks goalie Martin Jones for the game-winner in a 3-2 win that cleaned out some skeletons going into the New Year.
Carter continues to carry the Kings offensively, and his 20th goal nearly four minutes into the third period was a direly needed response after the Sharks scored 12 seconds into the third and again closed the deficit to one goal with six minutes to go.