Kings, Ducks Both Win, Keep Pace With Each Other

The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks are running neck and neck in the NHL Pacific Division race. Both teams are playing equally well and neither can pull away from the other, almost matching victory for victory, as they did on March 14th.

The Kings were at the United Center in Chicago and faced the Blackhawks. The Hawks are in a bit of a mini slump, which the Kings capitalized on. L.A. scored two goals within the first four minutes of the game and Jonathan Quick had 32 saves as the Kings shut out the Blackhawks 5-0.

In Anaheim, the Ducks hosted the New Jersey Devils. After a scoreless first period, Anaheim scored four times in the second period and three times in the third to rout New Jersey 7-1. Forward Jakob Silverberg scored a hat trick for the Ducks.

Both Los Angeles and Anaheim are 7-2-1 over their last 10 games, with the Kings holding a two point lead in the standings 87-85. The San Jose Sharks are third with 82 points, but time is growing short in the regular season for them to make a run at the top, especially the way the front runners are playing. In the overall Western Conference standings, Dallas (91 points), St. Louis (91), and Chicago (88) still are ahead of the California teams.