The Anaheim Ducks orchestrated a thrilling comeback Friday night at Honda Center, erasing a two-goal deficit in the final period to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 5-4 in a shootout. Leo Carlsson delivered a three-point performance, including the game-tying goal with just 1:31 remaining in regulation.
Carlsson Leads Late-Game Heroics
Carlsson proved instrumental in Anaheim’s fifth comeback victory from a two-goal deficit this season. The forward netted the equalizer at 18:29 of the third period, converting a feed from Jackson LaCombe after Ville Husso had been pulled for an extra attacker. Pavel Mintyukov had previously narrowed the margin to 4-3 at 10:42 with a shot from the right hash marks.
The dramatic finish showcased the Ducks’ resilience and offensive creativity when facing elimination. Carlsson added two assists earlier in the contest, demonstrating his growing impact as a playmaker and finisher in crucial situations.
Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville acknowledged the risky nature of their late-game success while emphasizing its importance. He noted the team’s fortunate breaks with the goaltender pulled, recognizing such strategies shouldn’t become routine but proved decisive in securing a vital victory.
Husso Shines in Season Debut
Ville Husso delivered a stellar performance in his first appearance of the campaign, stopping 23 shots through regulation and overtime before denying both Los Angeles shootout attempts. His composed play provided stability after the Ducks announced before puck drop that primary netminder Lukas Dostal would miss 2-3 weeks with an upper-body injury.
Troy Terry and Mason McTavish converted their shootout opportunities to secure the victory. McTavish also contributed two assists during regulation, while Terry extended his point streak to six games with an assist, totaling two goals and five assists during the stretch.
The Ducks improved to 15-8-1 with the victory, maintaining their strong position in the standings through balanced scoring and opportunistic offense.
Kings Control Early Action
Los Angeles dominated lengthy stretches of the contest, building leads three separate times through effective puck movement and clinical finishing. The Kings demonstrated their quality throughout, with Brian Dumoulin, Trevor Moore and Brandt Clarke each recording two assists in support of the offensive attack.
Alex Laferriere opened scoring at 17:48 of the opening period, pushing a rebound through Husso’s pads after sustained pressure in the Anaheim zone. The goal rewarded Los Angeles for territorial dominance that limited the Ducks to minimal offensive opportunities.
Anaheim endured a particularly difficult stretch spanning 14:31 without registering a shot on goal, extending from midway through the first period into the second. Chris Kreider finally broke through on the power play at 9:00 of the middle frame, redirecting Terry’s centering pass to tie the contest at 1-1.
Kevin Fiala restored the Kings’ advantage at 10:03 of the second period, beating Husso near-side with a wrist shot from the left circle following a rush. The goal appeared to establish Los Angeles control, but Olen Zellweger responded just 59 seconds later.
Zellweger’s equalizer at 11:02 resulted from fortunate circumstances when Alex Killorn’s pass deflected off Kings defenseman Cody Ceci’s skate. The puck continued to Zellweger at the bottom of the left circle, and he slid a one-timer between the post and Darcy Kuemper’s skate to make it 2-2.
Third Period Drama
The Kings regained momentum early in the final period when Alex Turcotte scored his first goal of the season at 3:23. Turcotte, who was a healthy scratch in Los Angeles’ previous game against Ottawa, redirected Clarke’s centering pass while uncovered on the left side of the Anaheim zone.
According to NHL official statistics, Turcotte expressed excitement about returning to the lineup against a talented Ducks squad. He viewed the opportunity as a chance to demonstrate his capabilities after sitting out the previous contest.
Joel Edmundson extended the advantage to 4-2 at 6:53, scoring from the right point to seemingly put the game beyond Anaheim’s reach. However, the Ducks’ refusal to concede defeat manifested in their relentless pressure over the final minutes.
Quenneville emphasized his team’s mindset regarding deficits, noting players grow more determined rather than discouraged when trailing. This mentality enabled the dramatic comeback that forced overtime and eventually the shootout.
Goaltending Battle and Defensive Contributions
Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves for Los Angeles but fell to 0-4 in shootout situations this season. His solid performance through regulation couldn’t prevent the Kings from settling for a single point despite controlling significant portions of the contest.
The defensive contributions from both teams proved crucial throughout. Brian Dumoulin highlighted Anaheim’s young talent and confidence, noting their ability to create dangerous chances quickly without requiring extensive time and space.
Ryan Poehling returned to the Ducks lineup after missing seven games with an upper-body injury, contributing two blocked shots and logging 14:23 of ice time. His presence added depth and defensive responsibility during a critical contest.
Warren Foegele remained sidelined for Los Angeles after leaving Thursday’s practice early with an upper-body injury. His absence was listed as day-to-day, potentially affecting the Kings’ forward depth in upcoming games.
Historical Context and Streaks
Forward Beckett Sennecke extended his point streak to six games with an assist, accumulating six points during the stretch including one goal and five assists. The achievement surpassed Oleg Tverdovsky’s five-game streak from 1995-96 for the longest by a teenager in Ducks franchise history.
The Kings earned a point for the eighth time in their past nine games, compiling a 5-1-3 record during that stretch with four consecutive games earning at least one point. Despite the shootout loss, Los Angeles maintains competitive positioning at 11-6-7.
Alex Turcotte expressed disappointment despite his goal, believing the Kings controlled enough of the game to deserve victory. The sentiment reflected Los Angeles’ dominance through long stretches before Anaheim’s late surge changed the outcome.
Coaching Perspectives
Quenneville emphasized the importance of net-front presence and “greasy goals” within four feet of the crease. He noted that most goals result from such positioning, making it a focal point in the team’s pre-game preparation and tactical approach.
The coach also acknowledged his team’s vulnerability to sudden high-danger chances, noting Los Angeles’ ability to generate premium opportunities seemingly from nowhere. He stressed the need for complete defensive commitment until threats are fully neutralized.
Chris Kreider praised Anaheim’s goaltending consistency throughout the season while emphasizing the need to provide better support. He acknowledged the significant demands placed on netminders every game, recognizing that offensive support remains essential for sustained success.
The victory continues Anaheim’s impressive season while Los Angeles maintains its strong record despite the disappointment. Both Pacific Division rivals demonstrated championship qualities in an entertaining contest that required a shootout to determine the winner.
