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LA Kings: Kings Fall to Ducks in Staples Center Rumble

By Brook Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Los Angeles Kings Winger Andy Andreoff (15) fights with Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Kevin Bieksa (3) and pulls him to the ice during an NHL game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings on January 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Los Angeles Kings Winger Andy Andreoff (15) fights with Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Kevin Bieksa (3) and pulls him to the ice during an NHL game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings on January 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The LA Kings and Ducks faced off on Saturday night, in a game that seemed more like a boxing match. There were three fights that broke out in the first three minutes of the game.

You were in for quite the show ff you were one of the lucky few in attendance at Staples Center Saturday night. The Ducks and Kings faced off for their third match-up of the year and the gloves came off. Kurtis MacDermid and Jared Boll got it going early, as MacDermid punched Boll’s helmet about twenty times. Less than five seconds after that fight ended, Andy Andreoff squared off against Kevin Bieska. Nick Ritchie and Kyle Clifford finished up the brawl, ending the physical fights for the night.

In terms of the actual game, the Kings failed to walk away victorious for the third straight game.  They are now 1-3 in January after thrashing Edmonton on the second day of the month. Ondrej Kase got the game going early for Anaheim with a goal six minutes into the game. Ryan Kesler followed up with a power play goal of his own, something the Kings don’t often give up.  The Kings did not get on the board until the third period.

The Ducks also struck first in the third period on yet another Kase goal. That goal put the Ducks up 3-0 and would ultimately be the dagger for Los Angeles. Nick Shore set himself up in front of the net and one-timed a shot past John Gibson. Kopitar followed with a goal of his own to put the Kings within striking distance with six minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the Kings could not capitalize with an extra player and open net. Corey Perry flipped the puck down ice for an open net goal to make the scoring seem much more lopsided.

Moments That Mattered:

The Kings missed out on their two power play goals, adding to a disappointing season of power plays. The Kings rank in the bottom 10 of power play percentage…Anze Kopitar scored his 18th goal of the season Saturday, his career high was 34 set in the 2009-2010 season…The Kings also honored long-time broadcaster Bob Miller on Saturday by forever enshrining his statue outside of Staples Center.

Next: Kings Have Three Allstars

What’s Next:

The Kings will play host to San Jose on Monday afternoon. The Sharks are just three points behind the Kings in the standings following their win over Arizona Saturday. San Jose has the third least goals scored against them in the NHL just a few behind the Kings and Bruins. The Sharks are also one of the top three power-play teams in the entire league.

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