In Los Angeles, the Anaheim Ducks scored once in each period and handed the Kings a 3-1 loss on Tuesday night.
John Gibson made 20 saves in a solid rebound game for him.
Arthur Kaliyev scored the lone goal for the Kinds in the middle frame to cut the Ducks lead to 2-1.
“There’s nothing that I didn’t like,” Kings head coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s a young player that is, he was excited to play. The guys were excited for him. That gave us a little bit of life and a little bit of energy, so when a 19-year-old can come in and do that … He’s obviously dangerous when he’s got the puck and in and around the net.”
Nicolas Deslauriers potted a goal and picked up two points in the win for Anaheim.
Danton Heinen scored in the opening frame for an early 1-0 lead to Anaheim.
“It’s about chances, right? If you’re not getting chances, it’s a different proble
m,” Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins said. “Tonight, we rung one or two off the post. It’s always interesting. Right now, it seems like those posts are not our friend.”
David Backes made the count 2-0 with a strike in the second period.
“Just feel blessed for the opportunity,” Backes said. “Been through some tough times since last February, and to be in the lineup with a position to succeed and having people like Dallas believe in me and breathe life into me, it’s huge. … I got back to the bench, and I said, ‘I forget how good it feels to score.’ Got to keep doing it.”
Calvin Petersen made 40 saves in the loss and should sue for non support.
“It was a really special moment getting the first one,” Kaliyev said. “You never forget one of those moments, getting your first goal. I think it was a pretty good game. A lot of nerves at the start of the game, but I thought I tried to play my best out there.”
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