Defenseman’s goal, Gibson’s saves send Ducks past Kings
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Even though it’s only February, the Anaheim Ducks are trying to harness the attitude and style of play they’ll need to make a deep playoff run.
There was no better way to test those attributes than against the Los Angeles Kings in the Freeway Faceoff, and the Ducks delivered on both accounts.
Defenseman Josh Manson scored his second goal of the season, and John Gibson stopped 24 shots for his 10th career shutout in the Ducks’ 1-0 win Sunday.
“We just showed how we can play,” Gibson said. “This time of the season, that’s the way it is going to be. Going into the playoffs, towards the end of the year, every game is going to be tight.
“There’s not much room for error, so (you’ve) got to be pretty good.”
The Ducks have won two of three games against the Kings this season, with Gibson recording shutouts in both victories. He has five shutouts in all this season.
Anaheim’s second-period forecheck set up the lone goal of an intense and physical game.
Rangers 2, Capitals 1 — At New York, Mats Zuccarello scored the decisive goal in the third period to back Henrik Lundqvist, who had 31 saves, as New York won for the seventh time in eight games.
Bruins 2, Sharks 1, OT — At San Jose, Calif., Brad Marchand scored on a breakaway with 2:24 left in overtime to back Tuukka Rask, who had 29 saves, as Boston improved to 4-0 under interim coach Bruce Cassidy.
Red Wings 5, Penguins 2 — At NHL Pittsburgh, Tomas Tatar and Thomas Vanek scored early third-period goals for Detroit, which capped a weekend sweep after beating league-leading Washington on Saturday.
Predators 4, Blue Jackets 3 — At Columbus, Ohio, Mattias Ekholm scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and James Neal and P.K. Subban each had two assists for Nashville, which never trailed.
Lightning 3, Avalanche 2, OT — At Denver, Jonathan Drouin stole the puck deep in the Colorado zone and scored on a backhander 2:27 into overtime as Tampa Bay recovered after blowing a 2-0 lead.
Blackhawks 5, Sabres 1 — At Buffalo, N.Y., Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist in his annual homecoming to back Scott Darling, who had 25 saves, in Chicago’s sixth win in seven games.
Islanders 6, Devils 4 — At New York, Ryan Strome had two goals and an assist for New York, which is 9-0-2 in its past 11 home games. New Jersey was 8-0-1 in its previous nine road games.
Flyers 3, Canucks 2 — At Vancouver, British Columbia, Shayne Gostisbehere had three assists for Philadelphia, which scored two power-play goals and never trailed.
Jets 3, Senators 2 — At Ottawa, Ontario, Josh Morrissey scored the decisive goal early in the third period to back Connor Hellebuyck, who had 32 saves.
Maple Leafs 4, Hurricanes 0 — At Raleigh, N.C., Connor Brown scored twice, and Curtis McElhinney had 37 saves in his first shutout in 25 months.