KINGS: Los Angeles wins shootout over Ducks in Freeway Face-Off

LOS ANGELES — In the finale of their three-game homestand, the Kings hosted the struggling Anaheim Ducks in a thrilling, tough battle for both teams, ending in a 3-2 shootout victory for Los Angeles. Goaltender David Rittich sealed the Kings victory, saving Ducks winger Alex Killorn’s potential game-extending effort.

The Kings are now 6-2-0 under the helm of interim head coach Jim Hiller, and sit at 68 points, now even with the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division.

“Obviously, the shootout, we haven’t been great at shootouts all year, so that was big for confidence,” said Kings forward Adrian Kempe. “And I think overall [we] deserved the two points. Maybe wasn’t our best performance overall, but it was a big win.”

The first period started fast and physical for both sides. Los Angeles created some quality chances until center Blake Lizotte received a holding penalty, which shifted momentum. From the face-off—and less than 10 seconds into the power play—Ducks winger Jakob Silfverberg’s wrist shot from the left side put Anaheim on the board.

The one-goal deficit ignited the Kings’ energy, however. Los Angeles had chances from Quinton Byfield, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and youngster Brandt Clarke, before Lizotte drew an interference call on Killorn. From there, Kempe and blueliner Drew Doughty set up winger Kevin Fiala, who hit the top corner of the net to tie the game with under five minutes remaining in the first.

“Goal-scorers, they like to feel it,” Hiller said. “Once you get one, all of a sudden you’ve got a lot more confidence. Instead of thinking pass, you’re thinking shot, and I think that’s what we’re seeing with Kevin [Fiala]. I thought that was one of Kevin’s better games of the year. In the O-zone, he looked like himself.”

At first intermission, the teams were even at one goal apiece. Early in the second period, L.A. killed off a Ducks power play and Rittich made some nice stops, before the Kings found themselves on a man advantage of their own. However, Adam Henrique led a two-on-one shorthanded chance and connected with centerman Sam Carrick for the tip-in to take the lead.

Killorn would make his way back to the sin bin with 6:47 remaining in the period, which set up Los Angeles to tie the game. This time, it was Doughty who lit the lamp. A successful goalie screen from Byfield allowed Doughty to find the back of the net from the center point over halfway through the power play. Fiala and Kempe helped Doughty for the score, putting all three skaters at two points on the night. Right after the goal, L.A. had a few more chances, but the teams headed to the dressing room even at 2-2.

In the third period, both teams reached a stalemate. Kings winger Trevor Moore’s on-target shot with 14 minutes remaining was nearly rebounded in, but Anaheim goalie John Gibson immediately hopped on the puck. The Ducks nearly tallied the go-ahead goal themselves off a shot from Mason McTavish with just under eight minutes remaining, but Rittich used his pads to make the save. Clarke also had a quality chance with about three minutes remaining, but couldn’t get it to go. At the end of regulation, the score remained 2-2.

Both Los Angeles and Anaheim couldn’t generate much offense in the five-minute overtime frame, sending the game to a shootout. Center Pierre-Luc Dubois wristed in the Kings first attempt and Rittich saved McTavish’s shot for the Ducks. Moore made L.A.’s second round try, but Anaheim responded in kind, as first-line center Leo Carlsson beat Rittich in the crease. Gibson used the blocker to prevent Fiala’s third round attempt, giving Killorn the chance to extend the game. On his knees, though, Rittich’s pads blocked Anaheim’s final shot which won the game for the Kings, 3-2.

“Tonight, our offense was really good,” said Hiller. “We’re gonna need that type of game with that balance on the road, playing three good teams.”

Doughty’s impact in this game was crucial considering defenseman Mikey Anderson’s recent injury. Ironically, on the day of his bobblehead giveaway night, it was reported that the upper-body injury Anderson suffered during Thursday’s game against Nashville will sideline him week-to-week. Anderson had been second in average ice time per game for the Kings, so his injury is detrimental.

“Our line of Lizotte, Lewis and [Anderson-Dolan] played very well tonight,” said Hiller. “That was a real spark for us.”

The Kings grabbed a huge two points, putting them right back in contention for a top-three spot in the division. The Ducks, on the other hand, have now lost six of their last 10 games and sit third-to-last in the entire NHL. These two clubs will meet two more times this season, but the Kings have taken both games thus far.

Los Angeles will venture up to Western Canada next for critical matchups against the Oilers, Flames and Canucks. Anaheim, on the other hand, will head back down on the I-405 to host the Predators, before heading up north for a bout with the Sharks.