LA Kings close in on playoff spot with win over Ducks

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Phillip Danault scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings solidified their grasp on a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Quick made 29 saves in a frequently spectacular performance, and Adrian Kempe scored the first goal in the Kings' third victory in four games. Los Angeles is closing in on the end of its three-season playoff drought, moving five points clear of Vegas and Vancouver for third place in the Pacific Division.

"If we expect to play a couple of weeks from now, we have to be comfortable (in this type of game)," Quick said. "Especially this time of year, these games are more frequent. ... It's fun. Unfortunately it’s been a few years, but we’re trying to enjoy it and take advantage of the opportunity out there."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, right, stops a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Kings still had trouble shaking the Ducks in the third Freeway Faceoff of the season, and Quick had to make 16 saves in his outstanding second period to keep the score even.

"Looks like he's been here before," Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said of his two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie. "He made huge saves, obviously a lot of them on the penalty kill. Made them when he needed to settle us down. He feels real good in net right now, and we feel real good with him in net."

Los Angeles then went ahead 32 seconds into the third when Danault put his shot over a sprawled John