Reversal of fortune in Anaheim: Kings 5, Ducks 4, shootout
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The Kings have a playoff berth sewn up. The Ducks were desperately trying to keep their faint playoff hopes alive when the teams met Tuesday at the Honda Center.
The Kings, after stumbling through the first two periods, rallied to score twice in the third and pull even before Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar scored in the shootout to give them a 5-4 victory.
The Ducks probably didn’t know it, but their mathematical chances vanished just as they were starting their shootout: Colorado beat Vancouver in a shootout to clinch a playoff berth and leave the Ducks out in the cold.
The Kings, who clinched a playoff spot last week, were awful through two periods but tied it in the thirrd on goals by Justin Williams and Michal Handzus, the latter with 1:09 to play.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick was replaced by Erik Ersberg after giving up three goals on eight shots, failing in his sixth try at earning his 40th win of the season.
The Ducks at times looked like a Stanley Cup contender but were shaky in the third, when the Kings got the brilliant notion to go to the net and test the Ducks’ defense. It worked and was a prime factor in their rally.
More later at www.latimes.com/sports
-- Helene Elliott