Kings score late to down Ducks

In Anaheim, the Ducks nursed a 1-0 lead from the first period into the final frame and then surrendered two goals to the Los Angeles Kings in a 2-1 loss on Friday night.

The lack of offense this season has been the crippling flaw in the Ducks game.

“We’ve talked about it ad nauseum this year,” Anaheim head coach Dallas Eakins said. “There’s been nights where we’ve lacked chances, and there’s been nights like tonight where we have a ton of them.”

Anze Kopitar struck for the game-winner with 56 seconds left on the game clock.

“I figured (John) Gibson was going to come slide and I could go around him the other way, and obviously I’ve got an empty net,” he said. “Tonight, it worked out.”

Jonathan Quick made 33 saves in the win.

“I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to see that he was the reason we were still in the game,” Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said. “He was outstanding. Some of the saves he made, and secondary chances he somehow got a pad on or a blocker. He was their savior for two periods.”

There was a Lias Anderson sighting on the Kings roster, his third period goal tied the game at 1-1.

Haydn Fleury opened the scoring in the first period for the Ducks’ 1-0 lead.

“All the guys, all the coaches are really welcoming and really encouraging me to play how I know I can play,” he said. “[Scoring] is something I feel I can do, and that’s something I think I can improve in my game.”

Gibson  made 23 saves in the loss.

“Your goaltending is going to have to stand tall on nights where you’re just not generating anything, but on a night like tonight, we should’ve had run support,” Eakins said. “You’re rolling that third period, and it would be way better to be up by two or three than hanging on by one.”