RALEIGH, N.C. -- The heart and soul of the Los Angeles Kings -- Jonathan Quick -- has played one period of hockey this season, a groin injury sidelining the franchise goalie and fueling skepticism about his team's chances of making the postseason without him.

Enter journeyman goalie Peter Budaj, in his 11th season, who played a total of one NHL game in two seasons before being tabbed as Quick's replacement.

Budaj is putting up Quick-like numbers while playing in 42 of the Kings' first 49 games. He recorded his fifth shutout of the season Thursday night in a 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

"Peter has been awesome," Kings All-Star defenseman Drew Doughty said. "Everyone wants to blame where we are in the standings because we have guys injured like Quick, but Budaj has played great for us night in and night out. He is really deserving of all the accolades everyone is giving him. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are right now."

Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis scored 38 seconds apart late in the third period in support of Budaj's strong play in net.

"So far so good," said Budaj, who is 22-14-3 with a 2.06 goals-against average. "I am very blessed to have been able to play this many games. Everything is falling into place. I'm just trying to stay humble and work hard.

"I'm just enjoying this moment. You never want to get into the net when somebody gets hurt, but on the other hand, it's an opportunity for me to show that I can still play, that I still have the game, that I still have the passion for it and that I can still compete."

Gaborik scored with 4:43 left, and Lewis added his seventh of the season on the next shift. Kyle Clifford's empty-net goal capped the scoring.

The Kings (24-21-4) head into the All-Star break on a two-game winning streak after losing four in a row. The All-Star Weekend festivities will be held on their home ice in Los Angeles.

The Hurricanes, after winning four straight, have now lost five in a row, getting outscored 23-5 in those defeats. Carolina (21-20-7) was shut out for the first time in 82 games dating to Jan. 17, 2016, which was the longest active streak in the NHL.

"Oh, it's a bad taste, that's five straight," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "We'll get back to work in practice -- every area. It will be like starting over."

Budaj recorded his 16th career shutout. He stopped 22 shots to move into a tie for second in the league in shutouts.

Gaborik and Clifford each scored their fifth goal of the season, while Lewis tallied his seventh.

"We're right back in the playoff picture," said Doughty, who assisted on the Gaborik goal. "We wanted to take this game in the third period if we could, kind of steal one going into the third period 0-0, and that's what we did."

Hurricanes left winger Jeff Skinner, sixth in the league with 170 shots on goal, was held without a shot for the first time this season, and Carolina's power play continued to struggle. The Hurricanes were 0-for-4 with the man advantage and have scored just three power-play goals in 12 January games.

"Our penalty kill was really good," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "That was two good defensive teams and two good checking teams out there."

Los Angeles was unsuccessful on its lone power play.

Carolina goalie Cam Ward made 26 saves.

NOTES: Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter is one win from tying Bryan Murray (620) for 11th on the all-time victories list. ... Carolina D Klas Dahlbeck was inserted into the lineup for just the third time in the past 34 games. He finished with an even rating in 12:36 of ice time. ... Los Angeles will complete its extended five-game road trip at Arizona on Tuesday. The Hurricanes play host to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. ... Kings D Drew Doughty played in his 213th straight game, while D Jake Muzzin logged his 207th in a row. ... Carolina C Jordan Staal is one game shy of 300 played with the franchise since being acquired from Pittsburgh.