Kings Win Third Straight Game, Beat Rival Ducks 4–1

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) stops a shot by Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles on Dec. 20, 2022. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES—Alex Iafallo, Viktor Arvidsson and Kevin Fiala scored and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Anaheim Ducks 4–1 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, night for their third straight win.

The Kings won three straight games for the second time this season, and Pheonix Copley made 23 saves and joined teammate Jonathan Quick in winning three consecutive starts. Quick’s wins came Nov. 5-10, during a four-game win streak.

Drew Doughty had a power-play goal, and Adrian Kempe had two assists as the Kings took opener of the three-game Freeway Faceoff rivalry series.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, left, celebrates with center Anze Kopitar (11) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks in Los Angeles on Dec. 20, 2022. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)

Frank Vatrano scored on the power play and Lukas Dostal allowed four goals on 41 shots as the Ducks failed in their bid to get their first three-game winning streak of the season.

The Kings took charge in the second period, converting during a strong stretch of play on a slap shot by Doughty with a second left on a power play at 6:46.

Kings defenseman Matt Roy took a roughing penalty during the game’s first real scuffle and Vatrano scored on the rebound of a shot by Kevin Shattenkirk for his sixth goal on the ensuing man advantage.

Iafallo restored the lead 2–1 with 20.4 seconds to go in the period, scoring off Phillip Danault’s pass after an assertive possession behind the net.

Arvidsson extended the margin to 3–1 early in the third, finishing off a rush for his first goal and point in two games after missing two games for paternity leave.

Fiala capped the scoring with a strong individual effort, shaking off Vatrano and Nathan Beaulieu to score on a breakaway.

Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) passes while defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (53) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Worth Noting

Doughty has two goals and 18 assists through 34 games, becoming the first Kings defenseman to get 20 points in 15 straight seasons.

Los Angeles has scored a power-play goal in eight straight home games, its longest run since an 11-game stretch Feb. 17-March 17, 2007.

Ducks D Urho Vaakanainen did not play because of illness, forcing a move away from the 11 forward, seven defenseman alignment the team had been using recently. Ducks F Justin Kirkland made his NHL debut after being called up from the AHL earlier in the day.

By Dan Greenspan