Kopitar scores late to beat the Ducks

Andersson also scores in the third period as veteran goaltenders keep it close.

KINGS 2, DUCKS 1

Anze Kopitar scored with 55.1 seconds remaining and the Kings rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center.

Kopitar got John Gibson to overcommit and scored on a backhand before barreling into the net. It was his 997th career point.

Lias Andersson also had a goal and Jonathan Quick made 33 saves for the Kings, who trail the St. Louis Blues by eight points for the final playoff spot in the West Division with eight games remaining.

Haydn Fleury scored and John Gibson made 23 saves, but the Ducks have gone 23 consecutive home games without winning in regulation.

Andersson tied it up 1-all at 14:56 of the third period, burying a shot into an open net off Gabriel Vilardi’s backhand pass between his legs.

Both teams created plenty of chances as they picked up where they left off from a compelling 3-2 late win by the Ducks on Wednesday, but Gibson and Quick shook off down seasons to conjure up one impressive save after another.

Fleury put Anaheim ahead 1-0 at 5:37 of the first with a slap-shot blast off Trevor Zegras’ faceoff win. It was the first goal in eight games as a Duck for Fleury, who was acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline, and he has points in consecutive games after picking up an assist Wednesday.

Quick, who has seen his workload reduced in favor of 26-year-old Cal Petersen, was at his Stanley Cup-winning best with sprawling saves against Max Comtois in the first and Rickard Rakell in the second.

The teams will play for the fourth time in six days Saturday at Honda Center.