AP Facing a two-goal deficit and a minute scoring drought heading into the third period against their biggest rivals, the Anaheim Ducks realized their whole season might be affected by the way they finished Friday night. Corey Perry and the Ducks did everything the right way, and they reaped an impressive reward in the Freeway Faceoff. Perry scored the tiebreaking goal with to play, and Anaheim furiously rallied for a victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Ryan Kesler and Emerson Etem scored 90 seconds apart early in the third period for the Ducks, who beat the defending Stanley Cup champions for the third time in four lively meetings this season.
That didn't seem likely when Anaheim trudged off its ice trailing after two periods, unable to cash in on chances against the tenacious Kings.
It gives us confidence, that's for sure. But you're not going to come back from in the third every single night. Actually, the Ducks have done it five times this season - twice against the Kings. Perry secured the seventh goal season of his NHL career when he slipped past two Kings to put home a bouncing puck dropped into the slot by captain Ryan Getzlaf. It wasn't exactly a classic Getzlaf-to-Perry connection, but Perry alertly followed Kyle Palmieri's lead block and scored.
Perry then scored with Trevor Lewis and Brayden McNabb scored for the Kings, who have lost two straight after an eight-game surge. Martin Jones stopped 28 shots in his first start since Jan. John Gibson made 20 saves while appearing in his ninth straight game for Anaheim. While the Ducks enjoyed their comeback, the Kings lamented their late fold.
