Ben Meyers #39 of the Anaheim Ducks fights for the puck against Quinton Byfield #55 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings can’t stop a goal by Trevor Zegras (not pictured) of the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie Lukas Dostal #1 of the Anaheim Ducks blocks a shot by the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trevor Zegras #11 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Leo Carlsson #91 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck as Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings dives during the third period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alex Killorn #17 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a shot on goal against goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alex Killorn #17 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a shot on goal against goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trevor Lewis #61 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after teammate Matt Roy (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Kings scores past goalie Lukas Dostal #1 of the Anaheim Ducks as Jackson LaCombe #60 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Brett Leason #20 of the Anaheim Ducks reaches for the puck against Kevin Fiala #22 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Matt Roy #3 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alex Laferriere #78 of the Los Angeles Kings fights for the puck against goalie Lukas Dostal #1 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alex Turcotte #38 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck between Radko Gudas #7 of the Anaheim Ducks and teammate Ross Johnston #44 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot by Trevor Zegras #11 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Kings enter the ice prior to a NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot by Trevor Zegras (not pictured) of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after coring against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after coring against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jackson LaCombe #60 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a high stick to the face against Akil Thomas #41 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
George Lopez is announced on Mexican Heritage Night prior to a NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Kings enter the ice prior to a NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ryan Strome #16 of the Anaheim Ducks fights for the puck against Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck past William Lagesson #37 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isac Lundestrom #21 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck against he Anaheim Ducks lduring the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alex Laferriere #78 of the Los Angeles Kings fights for the puck against goalie Lukas Dostal #1 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jackson LaCombe #60 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a high stick to the face against Akil Thomas #41 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jackson LaCombe #60 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a high stick to the face against Akil Thomas #41 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Goalie David Rittich #31 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of a NHL hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES –– The Kings edged the Ducks in the fourth and final Freeway Faceoff, 3-1, at Crypto.com Arena Saturday night in a match in which they never trailed but never seemed entirely comfortable either.
The Vancouver Canucks beat the second-place Edmonton Oilers to bring their magic number to a solitary point to clinch the Pacific Division, making the Kings’ third straight first-round series beginning in Edmonton an even more distinct possibility.
Kevin Fiala’s heady wraparound putback of a rebound with 2:18 to play gave him his 29th goal of 2023-24 and the Kings 43rd win of the season to maintain a three-point edge over the fourth-place Vegas Golden Knights, who were idle Saturday.
Kings captain Anze Kopitar (rest) missed only his third game in the past seven seasons. Of the prior two, one was for rest (Game 81 of the 2021-22 season) and the other was due to an illness on October 18, 2019.
That ascended Pierre-Luc Dubois, who played on the fourth line against Calgary on Thursday, to Kopitar’s spots on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit. He scored a power-play goal and Matt Roy added a five-on-five marker. David Rittich turned away 28 bids by the Ducks.
Trevor Zegras tallied for his seventh point in his past seven games. Lukáš Dostál had 25 saves in 28 opportunities.
The Ducks took advantage of open ice, during a four-on-four situation, to break up Rittich’s shutout and halve their deficit with 8:42 to play. A savvy sequence ignited by a stretch pass by Dostál culminated in a far-side snipe for Zegras, his sixth goal of a campaign in which he missed 51 games due to injury.
Earlier in the closing stanza, Leo Carlsson absolutely undressed the Kings’ defense, in particular their top defender, Drew Doughty. Carlsson’s burst through the neural zone left Trevor Moore in his wake and when Doughty came to check him he was the victim of a skate-to-backhand-to-forehand-and-then-between-the-legs deke that left the former Norris Trophy winner on his knees as Rittich halted.
Ducks enjoying Carlsson, Zegras and Killorn at full health
The Kings ventilated their lead with a second goal at the 10:33 mark of the middle frame. Akil Thomas earned his first NHL assist but the main exchange was between Blake Lizotte and Roy. Lizotte fed Roy for a shot that he whipped into Lizotte’s skate, who returned the puck to Roy for a seeing-eye shot through heavy traffic, his fifth goal of the season.
After an evenly played 20 minutes, the game’s first goal came 2:45 into the second period. The Kings, with their second power play of the evening, saw more of the Dubois they expected back in the summer. He fed Viktor Arvidsson in the slot for a shot attempt before looking to set up Adrian Kempe with a centering pass. Kempe was tied up but Arvidsson found the puck down low, heaving it off Cam Fowler’s skate and directly to Dubois at the side of the net for his 16th goal as a King.
