The Los Angeles Kings took a major step toward securing home-ice advantage in the first round of the NHL playoffs with a commanding 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.
For the second straight game, Quinton Byfield set the tone early, scoring less than two minutes into the first period. Byfield capitalized on a power-play opportunity for his 21st goal of the season, a new career high, giving LA a 1-0 lead.
The Ducks responded early in the second period with a goal from rookie Cutter Gauthier, who scored off the rush following a crisp feed from Leo Carlsson. The goal was Gauthier’s 20th of the season, tying the game at 1-1.
The tie didn’t last long. Just 31 seconds later, Anze Kopitar redirected a shot from Mikey Anderson to regain the lead. The tally marked Kopitar’s 20th goal of the season, the 14th time he’s reached that mark in his career—ranking him among the NHL’s elite.
The Kings extended their lead to 3-1 with another power-play goal, this time from Kevin Fiala, who fired a one-timer past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal for his 31st goal of the year.
Alex Laferriere made it 4-1 before the second intermission with a slick backhand finish—his 17th goal of the season—on a play that stood after a lengthy review for a possible high stick.
Fiala struck again just over a minute into the third period, netting his second power-play goal of the night and LA’s third of the game. It was the Kings’ first time scoring three power-play goals in a game since October 14 in Ottawa.
Jordan Spence rounded out the scoring midway through the final frame, blasting home his fourth goal of the season from the point off a feed from Phillip Danault.
With the win, the Kings gained a crucial two points in the playoff race and showcased the depth and efficiency of their special teams.
