LOS ANGELES, CA – Act two of the Freeway Faceoff between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings was as masterful as the first. Inevitably, it would end the same way act one did: with overtime.
Jared Stoll played the role of hero this time as the Kings defeated the Ducks 3-2 in an overtime thriller to even the regular season series between the two teams at one game a piece.
The first game of the five-game Freeway Faceoff was on Wednesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim and it was a 6-5 high scoring affair that went into a penalty shootout. The Ducks capped off a sensational come from behind victory with two goals in the final five minutes.
Saturday’s classic at Staples Center was a far cry from the ten goal offensive assault in the previous game, but the quick, physical affair on the ice was again evenly matched; a characteristic that this rivalry has come to be known for.
“One was a shootout game and one was an overtime game, so it tells you how close they are,” said Kings coach Darryl Sutter about the two teams.
If the first two games of this series have shown us anything, it’s that these two teams are among the best in the west, and we’re in for another historic series if they were to meet again in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Kings defeated the Ducks in the second round in seven games last season after trailing the series three games to two.
Emerson Eten scored his second goal of the season in the second period and Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen made 34 saves just 48 hours after being pulled in the second period of Wednesday’s game after giving up three goals to the Kings.
"He was exceptional," said Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau of his goalie. "I knew Freddie would come back and have a really good game, and he did. You keep saying that he kept us in the game, but I think Quick kept them in the game. We didn't have as many shots on goal, but we had as many scoring chances."
Tyler Toffoli scored a shorthanded goal in the second period. Toffoli and Stoll caught the Ducks on a line change and broke out on a two on one break. It was Toffoli’s 8th goal of the season.
“It was a good battle in the corner and Stoll was yelling at me in the middle there. I just gave him a little chip and he gave it right back and we had a nice two-on-one,” said Toffoli after the game.
Anze Kopitar tied the game for the defending Stanley Cup Champions with ten minutes left to play off of a power play. It was Kopitar’s 5th goal of the season. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves on 29 shots for his 8th win of the season.
But it was Stoll who came up big for the Kings when they needed him as he scored his first goal of the season, to give the Kings just their third victory in ten games.
“Quick came up big when we needed him to. Some big penalty kills and a big power play goal in the third. I think everyone can attest to how well they move the puck around and basically almost two minutes in their zone and we came up with a big goal,” said Stoll.
Game Notes:
The Kings were without star defenseman Alec Martinez who underwent finger surgery on Friday and will be out indefinitely. Martinez was hurt blocking a shot in the Kings 2-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Two newlyweds were seated against glass and shown on the videoboard in the third period. The groom was wearing a Ducks jersey and the bride a Kings jersey, personifying the rivalry.
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