Playoff spot close for Kings

Edler’s goal is winner against Ducks as L.A. honors Getzlaf in last game against captain.

KINGS 4 DUCKS 2

Alexander Edler scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the Kings closed in on their first playoff berth in four years with a 4-2 victory over the Ducks on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Arthur Kaliyev, Matt Roy and Alex Iafallo also scored, and rookie Quinton Byfield and Anze Kopitar had two assists apiece in the Kings’ fourth straight victory. Jonathan Quick overcame an egregious misplay and made 19 saves in Los Angeles’ second win in five days over Anaheim in the rivalry series.

With five victories in six games, the Kings have solidified their hold on third place in the Pacific Division.

Los Angeles has two games left and is seven points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, who have four games left.

The Kings also are just two points behind Edmonton for second place in the Pacific, but the Oilers have two games in hand.

Trevor Zegras became the top rookie scorer in Ducks history with his 58th point to pass Bobby Ryan with a second-period goal and Gerry Mayhew scored on a spectacular goaltending mistake by Quick. Anthony Stolarz stopped 36 shots in Anaheim’s 18th loss in 21 games.

Iafallo added an emptynet goal before a major fracas occurred with 5.7 seconds to play. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf took down Kaliyev after the Los Angeles forward checked Anaheim’s Josh Mahura in the head from behind.

Earlier, Getzlaf got a lengthy ovation from the fans of his team’s biggest rivals during the first period of his penultimate NHL game and final appearance against the Kings. The 17year veteran, who will finish his career Sunday at Honda Center, also shook hands with Kings players and staff after the final buzzer before leaving the ice.

The 36-year-old retained the feisty spirit of this local derby to the end: When Los Angeles’ Carl Grundstrom ran into Stolarz and knocked him down in the second period, Getzlaf pursued Grundstrom and checked the Kings forward up onto the glass in response.

Mark J. Terrill Associated Press DUCKS DEFENSEMAN Cam Fowler, right, falls while under pressure from Kings winger Alex Iafallo, who added an empty-netter as L.A. bested its rival.