Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Corey Perry scored on a devastating slap shot 1:32 into in overtime, lifting the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The game-winner came after a Kings forward Anze Kopitar turned the puck over in the LA zone, falling to the ice near the boards. Cam Fowler picked it up for a cross-ice pass to Perry, who skated down the right side and uncorked a shot that hit Jonathan Quick's glove before finding the back of the net.
"We battled tonight and we have another one tomorrow, so it was a huge relief," said Ducks goaltender Ray Emery about the game-winner. Brandon McMillan scored Anaheim's only regulation goal in the first period, while LA's Dustin Brown tied the game in the third. Emery had 31 saves for the Ducks, who have won four of their last five to pull within a point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Quick finished with 23 saves for the Kings, who are the No. 5 seed in the conference, three points behind Phoenix. They have lost two straight (0-1-1) on the heels of a four-game winning streak. "Right from the very start of the game there was a playoff-like atmosphere, the building was alive, and both teams came to compete hard," said LA head coach Terry Murray.
"I thought we had an excellent third period, but we just couldn't find a way to finish at the end of the day. It was unfortunate but we're going to build off this, there were a lot of nice things that happened." Anaheim flipped the puck into the LA zone and McMillan found his way past three defenders to score the game's first goal 15:24 into the first period.
After a scoreless second period -- Emery had 13 saves, Quick 8 -- Brown tallied 11:04 into the third after Michal Handzus found him with a long pass from the right boards, sending it across the ice to the goalmouth on the left side.
Anaheim hosts Calgary on Sunday...Emery made his first start against the Kings...LA was coming off a 4-0 loss to St. Louis on Thursday, which followed a 4-0 road trip...The Kings are 0-1-1 on a five-game homestand that also includes visits from the Flames, Sharks and Avalanche.
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blogs Anaheim Calling and Jewels From The Crown.