Ducks Soar Past Kings in Electrifying Shootout Thriller: A Pacific Division Showdown

The National Hockey League is a stage for unparalleled drama, where legends are forged and thrilling comebacks become part of hockey lore. This past Friday, the Honda Center bore witness to one such unforgettable night, echoing the kind of intensity that makes players like Corey Perry—a veteran known for his clutch performances and fiery spirit—an enduring part of the league’s narrative. In a game that will be talked about for weeks, the Anaheim Ducks defied the odds, rallying from a two-goal deficit to secure a dramatic 5-4 shootout victory over their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Kings.

This wasn’t just another regular season game; it was a testament to resilience, youthful exuberance, and the never-say-die attitude that defines top-tier hockey. The Ducks, now 15-8-1, notched their fifth comeback win of the season, showcasing a tenacity that is quickly becoming their hallmark.

A Seesaw Battle: Kings Take Early Control

The game began with the Kings asserting their dominance, seizing a 1-0 lead late in the first period when Alex Laferriere capitalized on a rebound. Despite a significant Ducks’ scoring drought spanning over 14 minutes, the second period saw Chris Kreider level the score on a power play, redirecting a pass from Troy Terry. However, the Kings quickly responded, with Kevin Fiala putting them ahead 2-1 with a sharp wrist shot.

The seesaw continued as rookie Olen Zellweger, displaying impressive poise, tied it once more for Anaheim just 59 seconds later. His one-timer, assisted by Alex Killorn, found its way past Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, hinting at the offensive firepower brewing within the Ducks’ young core. Brian Dumoulin of the Kings acknowledged the threat, noting, “You can see the style of play and some of the freedom, especially the young guys with a lot of skill they have. They’re tremendous players.”

Kings Extend Lead, Ducks Mount Heroic Comeback

The third period initially looked bleak for Anaheim. Alex Turcotte, eager to make his mark after being a healthy scratch, put the Kings up 3-2 with a redirection early in the frame. Joel Edmundson then extended the lead to 4-2 at 6:53, scoring from the right point and seemingly putting the game out of reach for the Ducks.

But this young Ducks squad had other plans. With just over nine minutes remaining, Pavel Mintyukov ignited the comeback, bringing the Ducks within one at 4-3. Then, with just 1:31 left on the clock and Ville Husso pulled for the extra attacker, the magic happened. Leo Carlsson, the budding Swedish star, tied the game 4-4 off a feed from Jackson LaCombe, sending the Honda Center into a frenzy. Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville, while acknowledging the risky strategy, stated, “We had some success with the goalie out and some fortunate breaks in that time of the game… it was obviously a huge win for us.”

Husso’s Heroics & Shootout Glory

The game proceeded to overtime, where neither team could find the decisive goal, leading to a nail-biting shootout. This is where Ville Husso, making his season debut for the Ducks, truly shone. After making 23 crucial saves throughout regulation and overtime, Husso stopped both shootout attempts from the Kings, denying their bid for victory.

On the Ducks’ side, Mason McTavish and Troy Terry converted their shootout chances with precision, sealing the dramatic 5-4 win for Anaheim. Quenneville captured the team’s spirit perfectly: “On the bench, we never feel like we’re out of a game. It’s almost like we get more angry when we get down by one or two.”

Notes from the Rink

• The Ducks were without their No. 1 goalie, Lukas Dostal, who is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with an upper-body injury, making Husso’s debut even more critical.
• Kings forward Warren Foegele was sidelined with an upper-body injury, while Anaheim’s Ryan Poehling returned after missing seven games.
• Forward Beckett Sennecke extended his point streak to six games (six points), surpassing Oleg Tverdovsky for the longest by a teenager in Ducks history. Troy Terry also extended his point streak to six games.

This thrilling comeback victory not only provides a significant boost to the Anaheim Ducks’ morale but also serves as a captivating chapter in the intense Pacific Division rivalry. As both teams continue their campaigns, this game will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of NHL hockey.

For more detailed statistics and game analysis, visit NHL.com’s Game Centre or the official team sites: Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.