VIDEO: Ducks Edge Kings 3-2

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off with the Los Angeles Kings for one last time at Staples Center this season. Trevor Zegras was back in the lineup and Quinten Byfield made his NHL debut. The Ducks will host the Kings in Anaheim twice this weekend. John Gibson was in net against Calvin Petersen.

Game Recap

The teams exchanged chances early one, but neither one scored. LA got an early power play, but Anaheim was able to kill it off. The Kings would get on the board on first on another power play. Vilardi would get to a rebound and put in it.

The Ducks would get a power play, but then a strange play would lead to another LA goal. John Gibson came way out of his net to get the puck, which Cam Fowler also skated too. There was a miscommunication and Kempe got to the loose puck and scored in the wide open net.

The Ducks would then answer back with two goals. First Sam Carrick would charge the net and get the puck past Petersen. Carrick made contact with the goalie, but it was well after the puck was past Petersen. Sam Steel would then score from the slot with a nice wrist shot in the top corner of the LA net.

The teams battled late into the game with the score tied at two. In the final minutes of the third period, Cam Fowler would dance around the LA defense and rip a shot past Petersen. The Kings would pull their goalie to try to tie up the game, but the Ducks held on for the 3-2 win.

Analysis:

The Ducks got down by a pair of goals, but they were able to rally and win. Zegras finally returned to the lineup and played his first game in Anaheim as a center. He played almost 15 minutes and won about 63% of the face-offs he took. Gibson looked sharp, other than his miscommunication with Fowler. The penalty kill gave up one goal, but overall it’s been better with an 80% success rate. Anaheim will face LA Friday and Saturday to finish the Freeway Face-off for this season.

Team Notes/Stats:

Even with the win, the Ducks were officially eliminated from the playoffs when St. Louis won.

The Ducks earned their 10th regulation win this season. They were the last team to not have double digit regulation wins this season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Kings in Anaheim on Friday at 7 PM PT.

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April 28th, 2021