What we learned from Ducks’ 4-2 win over the Kings

Like a greyhound chasing the rabbit on the track, the Ducks are inching toward the Kings in the Pacific Division.

A 4-2 win Sunday brought the Ducks to two points behind the first-place Kings. The Ducks are 22-4-2 since Christmas and 15-1-1 in their last 17 games, while the Kings’ five-game point streak came to a grinding halt.

Here’s what we learned:

There is no end in sight for this Ducks’ run

Anaheim is two wins shy of its franchise-record 10-game streak from December of 2013. Its power play is 17-for-57 in the last 15 games, and it has held opponents to a team-record 142 goals through 61 games.

To think, the Ducks were 16 points behind the Kings on Jan. 12.

“We trusted this team,� Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen said. “We knew when we get everybody buying in and doing things, and we get a couple of bounces, it will turn around and we will have the success that we have right now.�

The Kings are showing signs of wear

They were an NHL-best 8-0-1 in the second game of a back-to-back set before Sunday. Kings Coach Darryl Sutter cites the schedule frequently as a factor, and he brought it up again after the game.

“We made some tired mistakes,� Sutter said. “I think guys looked a little gassed ... it’s going to happen when you get caught in a turnaround against a good team like that.�

The Ducks are 10-1-2 against the Kings in the regular season since the 2013-14 season. Of course, the Kings eliminated the Ducks in seven games in the 2014 conference semifinals.

Said Anze Kopitar, “Our game overall has to be better if we want to beat this team.�

Ryan Kesler is fine

Kesler threw a scare into all in attendance when he was struck by Jake Muzzin’s slap shot in the final seconds and lay prone for about a minute before he got up off the ice.

“He’s sore, obviously,� Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “The puck hit him in the upper region. But he’s a tough competitor and he’s going to be fine.�