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Ducks try for another big two points in clash with Kings

Mar 3, 2012 - 3:16 PM (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Ducks picked up a big two points last night over one team ahead of them in the Western Conference playoff picture. They seek identical results this evening as they visit the Los Angeles Kings, who are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in a month.

The Ducks played host to the Calgary Flames on Friday night and picked up a big 3-2 regulation win. Not only did Anaheim avoid its first three-game slide since Dec. 29-Jan. 4, but it now sits seven points behind the final two playoff spots in the West.

Calgary is one team ahead of Anaheim as the Flames are three points up of the Ducks. The Kings are another. Los Angeles is tied with Colorado for ninth in the conference, three points back of the seventh and eighth seed.

Getting the regulation win versus the Flames was key for the Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf made sure that happened when he scored the game-winner with 46 seconds left. It was his first goal since Jan. 22, a span of 17 games between tallies.

Corey Perry scored and added a helper, while Bobby Ryan also lit the lamp for the Ducks. Anaheim improved to 18-5-4 since its last three-game slide.

"That was a big win for our group," Getzlaf said. "We have half the battle done this weekend. Tonight was an emotional one. We have to enjoy it right now and get ready for the next one."

Jonas Hiller made 27 saves in his club-record setting 24th straight start. He broke the mark first set by Guy Hebert in 1997 and later matched by Jean- Sebastien Giguere in 2001. Hiller is 15-5-4 with a 1.85 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and two shutouts over his starting streak.

It is unknown if Hiller will get the call again tonight or if head coach Bruce Boudreau will give backup Jeff Deslauriers his first start since Jan. 12, his only appearance of the season. Regular backup Dan Ellis hasn't played since Dec. 29 due to a groin injury.

The Kings come into action well-rested. They haven't played since Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Wild, with backup Jonathan Bernier making 26 saves to record his first shutout of the season in what was only his second start of February.

Los Angeles took the pressure off the rusty goaltender by scoring three times in the first period. Anze Kopitar joined Justin Williams with a goal and an assist for the Kings, who won for just the third time in 10 games, while Dwight King and Jordan Nolan also scored in Bernier's fifth career shutout.

The Kings haven't won two straight since victories on Jan. 23 and Feb. 1 to bookend the All-Star break.

"We were desperate. We knew coming in that we needed two points," said Los Angeles forward Jarret Stoll. "We couldn't give them any and we needed both of them."

Dustin Brown collected two assists to give him nine points over his past five outings, but center Jeff Carter is still pointless in three games since being acquired from Columbus.

The Kings have won three of four over the Ducks this season, winning both meetings at Los Angeles in shootouts. Anaheim has lost six of its past nine trips to Los Angeles overall.