Game 65: Kings 4, Ducks 2 (FINAL)

It should be quite a battle tonight, as the Kings host the Anaheim Ducks in a matchup of two teams that can’t afford to lose ground in the Western Conference playoff race. All the action is on Fox Sports West and on 1150-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well…

THIRD PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Quick vs. Hiller.
Kings 4, Ducks 2: Anze Kopitar scored an empty-net goal with 14.5 seconds remaining as the Kings held on for the victory.

SECOND PERIOD
In goal: It’s still Quick vs. Hiller.
Kings 2, Ducks 1: Jeff Carter’s first goal with the Kings, on the power play, gave the Kings the lead 2:39 into the period. Mike Richards did a nice job to keep the puck in the zone, at the left point, then fired a shot. Hiller made the save, but the rebound stayed in front of the net. Dwight King, in front, whacked at the puck, and it hopped left toward Carter, who scored from close range.
Kings 3, Ducks 1: Carter’s second goal of the period gave the Kings a two-goal lead with 6:07 remaining in the period. Mike Richards tracked down the puck near the corner, then centered it to Carter in the slot. Carter’s sharp wrist shot beat Hiller. Dwight King also got an assist.
Kings 3, Ducks 2: The Kings’ two-goal lead lasted only 13 seconds, as the Ducks scored with 5:54 remaining in the period. Andrew Cogliano crossed the blue line and passed to Devante Smith-Pelly, who took a wrist shot from the right circle that cleanly beat Quick. Toni Lydman also got an assist.
End of period: The Ducks outshot the Kings 8-4 in the period. The Kings went 1-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.

FIRST PERIOD
Officials: Dan O’Rourke, Ian Walsh (referees); Scott Cherrey, Steve Miller (linesmen).
Lineups: The Kings’ healthy scratches are Davis Drewiske, Brad Richardson and Kevin Westgarth.
In goal: It’s the Kings’ Jonathan Quick against the Ducks’ Jonas Hiller.
Kings 1, Ducks 0: The Kings took the lead with a power-play goal with 7:45 remaining in the period. Alec Martinez shot from the left point and Hiller made the stop but couldn’t cover the rebound. Dustin Brown, parked to the side of the net, took a couple whacks at the rebound and put the puck past Hiller. Slava Voynov also got an assist.
Kings 1, Ducks 1: The Ducks tied the game with 4:18 remaining in the period. Teemu Selanne won an offensive-zone faceoff, and Sheldon Brookbank took a shot from the right point, through traffic, and beat Quick, who seemed to never see the shot. Bobby Ryan also got an assist.
End of period: The Ducks outshot the Kings 12-8 in the period. The Kings went 1-for-1 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. The Ducks will be on the power play for the first 27 seconds of the second period.