The Anaheim Ducks like where they’ve put themselves in the standings with their latest surge.
They have a chance to improve their situation heading into the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.
Anaheim has won five of its past six games to pull within nine points of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
The Ducks, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, crept within seven points of a playoff spot after beating the visiting Dallas Stars 2-1 on Tuesday.
Anaheim got a day off Wednesday and then had two days of practice to fine-tune its game in preparation for Los Angeles, which beat the visiting Dallas Stars 5-4 in a shootout Friday night for its third straight win.
“Our team hasn’t really been in a spot to feel that type of added enthusiasm, or emphasis on those games,” Ducks forward Ryan Strome said of a potential playoff race. “Now we’re in a position where these games are all going to be a little bit more impactful, a little more meaningful. And, with saying that, we kind of have to take a step together and be ready for that challenge.”
The Ducks are 2-10-1 in their past 13 games against the Kings, losing their first two matchups this season, but they’ve been much better against some of the top teams in the league since then.
Anaheim has won both meetings against the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets since their last loss to the Kings, split their meetings against the Pacific Division-leading Edmonton Oilers, and beat the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, all teams well above Anaheim in the overall standings.
“I think there’s been a lot of confidence with the group,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “I think it started back when we beat Winnipeg a month and a half ago at home. We had that road trip where we got a little bit sloppy, but I think we got back on the rails pretty quickly. When you win, it builds belief into what you’re doing.”
The Kings have been especially tough to beat at home, winning 12 of their past 13 games and posting a 17-3-1 overall home mark this season.
Los Angeles is third in the Pacific Division but entered the day just three points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks and five in front of the Calgary Flames. The Ducks are 12 points behind the Kings.
Kings coach Jim Hiller showed his respect for Anaheim’s offense, electing to save No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper for the Ducks and instead starting David Rittich against the Stars on Friday.
“Obviously, we’ve got to play hard,” Kings forward Phillip Danault said after collecting two assists against the Stars. “It’s always a hard game against the Ducks. Get the crowd going again and get the two points and go for a little trip on the road.”
Forward Kevin Fiala has been the hottest player for the Kings, registering five goals in the past three contests, with all three multipoint games.
Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals (24) and is tied in points with Anze Kopitar (45). Kempe had been the hottest player for Los Angeles at other stretches this season, but he went six games without a point before collecting an assist against the Stars.
–Field Level Media
