Rickard Rakell, John Gibson Lead Ducks To 4-0 Win Over Kings

Following an offseason rife with contract negotiations and surgery, Rickard Rakell returned to the Anaheim Ducks’ lineup just in time for a rivalry game.

Rickard Rakell, John Gibson Lead Ducks To 4-0 Win Over Kings

Rakell had a goal and two assists in his season debut, and goalie John Gibson made 30 saves to earn his seventh career shutout in the Ducks’ 4-0 road victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

After playing the best season of his career with 43 points last year, Rakell missed training camp and the first nine regular-season games while holding out for a new contract and recovering from surgery related to appendicitis. The 23-year-old Swedish center agreed to a six-year, $22.8 million deal on Oct. 14.

“I’m just trying to find the timing and everything,” said Rakell, who scored more points than he managed in his first 10 games combined last season. “I think I just was in the right place at the right time today. Of course, it gives you confidence to be able to build off this.”

The Kings have been shut out in three straight games for the first time since Jan. 1-7, 1969. They have not scored since Jeff Carter’s overtime goal in a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 27.

Antoine Vermette, Ryan Kesler, and Joseph Cramarossa also scored for the Ducks. Vermette scored his first goal with Anaheim, and Cramarossa scored his first NHL goal.

Kings goalie Peter Budaj lost his third consecutive game and was relieved by rookie Jack Campbell for the third period.

Rakell scored on a snap shot from the left face-off circle that flew through Budaj’s five-hole with 31 seconds remaining in the first to open scoring. Kesler tied up Nic Dowd on the draw and kicked the puck to Rakell to set up the shot.

The Ducks scored twice in 31 seconds during defenseman Jake Muzzin’s double minor for high-sticking against Cramarossa in the second period. Rakell set up Vermette from behind the net for a one-timer to make it 2-0 at 2:49, and Kesler made it 3-0 at 3:20.

Anaheim left wing Nick Ritchie exited the game following a hit by defenseman Tom Gilbert in the second period. Coach Randy Carlyle did not provide an update.

One of Gibson’s best saves was a glove save on Dustin Brown’s shot that came with 5:05 remaining in the second period. Brown fired a wrist shot from the left side, and Gibson slid over.

Cramarossa scored on a wraparound attempt that went in off Dowd and Kings defenseman Alex Martinez at 10:46 of the second period. Cramarossa’s chance came after Martinez’s errant pass to Dowd.

Defenseman Cam Fowler also made a big stop for Anaheim late in the second period, when he prevented Kings center Anze Kopitar from getting the puck by sweeping it away from the crease.

A massive, all-out fight also broke out midway through the third period. The brawl began when the Kings’ Jordan Nolan punched Getzlaf, who angrily responded with a blow of his own before the officials desperately began to break it up. Nolan eventually served a penalty.

Ryan Getzlaf is three assists from tying Teemu Selanne as the all-time Ducks leader (531).

The Ducks (4-4-2) will next host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, while the Kings (4-6-0) will next host the Penguins on Thursday.

GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 03: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 3, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ducks defeated the Coyotes 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena