ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Mikael Granlund scored at 4:02 of overtimeand the Anaheim Ducks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Saturday night to sweep a two-game weekend in the Freeway Faceoff rivalry.
Rookie Beckett Sennecke created the winning score by rushing a backcheck to take the puck from Los Angeles’ Kevin Fiala on a breakaway. Sennecke sent the puck straight to Granlund, who beat Anton Forsberg for his ninth goal of the season.
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Mason McTavish scored the first goal and Ville Husso made 17 saves for the Ducks. They have won three straight after a nine-game skid.
Adrian Kempe scored a power-play goal and Forsberg stopped 30 shots in a solid performance from the backup for the Kings, who have lost six of seven.
Sennecke played a major role for the second straight night as the Southern California clubs completed their back-to-back set by going to overtime for the third time in their four meetings this season. Sennecke had two assists and scored in the shootout as the Ducks recovered from a two-goal deficit. for a 3-2 victory against the Kings in downtown Los Angeles on Friday night.
McTavish ended the Ducks’ victory in Los Angeles with his fourth shootout goal of the season, and he opened the scoring in the rematch with a wrist shot for his 12th goal early in the first period.
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Kempe equalized in the second period, scoring his 16th goal on a one-timer off a pass from Fiala. Kempe then put a gloved finger to his lips, silencing the sixth straight sellout in Anaheim.
Los Angeles had six power plays before the Ducks got their first power play late in the second period, but Anaheim had a significant advantage in shots after playing for long stretches at even strength.
After a scoreless third game, the Kings played in overtime for the 20th time this season, a league high.
Jeffrey Viel made his debut with the Ducks, who traded fourth-round pick to Boston Friday to get the veteran forward who hasn’t scored in the NHL since March 18, 2022. The 6-foot-1 Viel faced 6-foot-6 Kings forward Samuel Helenius in the first period.
To be continued
Kings: Host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Ducks: Host the Rangers Monday night.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
