The Anaheim Ducks once again demonstrated their remarkable resilience and never-say-die attitude on Friday night, orchestrating yet another dramatic multigoal comeback to defeat their Pacific Division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings, by a final score of 3-2 in a thrilling shootout at Crypto.com Arena. This victory marked the Ducks' league-leading sixth multigoal comeback win of the season, further cementing their reputation as one of the National Hockey League's most persistent and mentally tough teams.
Rookie sensation Beckett Sennecke emerged as the undisputed standout performer of the evening, contributing two crucial assists during regulation before delivering the decisive shootout goal that gave Anaheim the extra point. Goaltender Lukas Dostal turned aside 26 shots to keep his team within striking distance throughout the contest, while Tim Washe celebrated a milestone moment by scoring his first-ever NHL goal in only his sixth career game. Veteran forward Ryan Strome also found the back of the net with a timely marker, and Mason McTavish provided the shootout winner that ultimately sealed the victory for the visiting squad.
The triumph extended Anaheim's winning streak to two consecutive games, a significant achievement following their arduous nine-game losing skid (0-8-1) that finally ended with a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. For the Kings, the loss represented their third consecutive defeat (0-1-2) and their fifth setback in six games (1-2-3), deepening their frustration during a challenging stretch of the season.
The Kings struck quickly and efficiently, converting on their very first shot of the contest just 1:38 into the opening period. During a 3-on-1 break that developed with speed through the neutral zone, Quinton Byfield opted to shoot rather than pass, firing a precise snap shot from the right circle that beat Dostal short side before the goaltender could fully set his position. "I was looking for the pass the whole time," Byfield admitted afterward in a postgame interview. "I didn't really see the option." The early tally gave Los Angeles an immediate 1-0 advantage and set an aggressive, confident tone for the home team.
Despite controlling much of the first-period action and generating numerous high-quality scoring opportunities, the Kings couldn't extend their margin despite their dominance on the shot clock and in territorial play. Dostal came up with a magnificent save on a shorthanded breakaway by Joel Armia, who was making his return to the lineup after a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The Ducks' netminder also benefited from some good fortune when both Taylor Ward and Adrian Kempe rang dangerous shots off the crossbar, inches away from doubling the lead. These missed opportunities would later prove costly as the game progressed and momentum began to shift.
"[Dostal] was unreal, gave us a chance to win again," McTavish praised during his media availability. "Every game, he always gives us a chance to win. We're so confident with him in the net." The goaltender's steady presence and ability to make critical saves at important moments allowed Anaheim to weather the early storm and remain within one goal heading into the first intermission, despite being outplayed for stretches of the opening 20 minutes.
The second period brought more end-to-end action and ultimately served as the turning point of the entire contest. Armia finally solved Dostal at the 11:33 mark, burying a powerful one-timer from the left circle off a perfect cross-slot feed from Andre Lee. The goal extended the Kings' lead to 2-0 and seemed to put Anaheim in a precarious position, particularly given Los Angeles' reputation for playing a stifling defensive style when holding a lead.
However, the Ducks responded with remarkable speed and efficiency that caught the Kings off guard. Just 39 seconds after Armia's tally, Strome ignited the comeback by cutting the deficit to 2-1 with a well-executed passing play. After leaving a drop pass in the high slot for defenseman Jackson LaCombe, Strome received an immediate return feed and unleashed a blistering one-timer from the top of the left circle that found its mark past a screened Kuemper. The quick strike injected new life into the Anaheim bench and shifted momentum dramatically in favor of the visitors.
"Just gave them some life back and they started taking it to us," Byfield reflected on the sudden turn of events. "Being up 2-0 and just giving that back is not good. I feel like last year we were a lot better at shutting those down, and that's something we've got to improve on." The young forward's candid assessment highlighted a concerning trend for the Kings, who have struggled to protect leads this season.
The Ducks completed their remarkable comeback before the period ended when Washe, playing in only his sixth NHL game, tied the contest at 2-2 with 14:56 elapsed in the second stanza. The sequence began with a Jacob Trouba one-timer from the right point that missed the net wide. The puck caromed off the end boards at a favorable angle and popped out to the opposite side of the crease, where Washe was perfectly positioned to shoot it into the essentially open net before Kuemper could recover. The rookie's first career goal was a memorable one, coming at a pivotal moment in a heated divisional matchup.
"So special," Washe said of his milestone marker with a wide smile. "Growing up, you dream of scoring in the NHL. To do it against the Kings, in this building, it's something I'll never forget." The goal exemplified the type of hard work and net-front presence that coaches love to see from young players trying to establish themselves at hockey's highest level.
The third period and overtime saw both teams battle fiercely but neither could break the deadlock despite several close calls at both ends of the ice. Dostal and Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (who also finished with 26 saves) stood tall when called upon, making crucial stops to preserve the tie and set the stage for the dramatic shootout.
In the skills competition, Sennecke converted his attempt with a slick deke move that showcased his confidence and offensive creativity, while McTavish's goal proved to be the eventual winner. Dostal stopped enough Kings shooters to secure the extra point in the standings, sending the Anaheim contingent home happy and giving the Ducks a crucial victory over a divisional opponent.
"That was a great comeback win," McTavish said in his postgame comments. "You never want to go down 2-0, especially in this rink. They play a really defensive style and they're good at it, so to come out of here with the win is awesome." The forward's shootout winner added another highlight to his growing resume as a clutch performer.
The victory further solidified the Ducks' status as the NHL's comeback kings. With six wins when trailing by multiple goals, they lead the entire league in that category—a testament to their never-say-die attitude, offensive firepower, and belief that no deficit is insurmountable. This mental toughness will serve them well as the season progresses and games become more meaningful in the playoff race.
For the Kings, the mood was understandably more somber in their locker room. Armia, despite his strong individual performance that included a goal and an assist in his return, couldn't mask the team's collective disappointment. "We've been on the wrong side of the luck sometimes," he said diplomatically. "It's frustrating, but we've just got to stay cool here and focus on the next game and go win it."
The two teams will have little time to dwell on this result, as they meet again Saturday night in Anaheim to complete their home-and-home series. The Kings will be desperate to avoid extending their losing streak and falling further behind in the competitive Pacific Division standings, while the Ducks will look to build on their newfound momentum and make it three straight wins.
Friday's contest showcased the unpredictable nature of Pacific Division hockey, where rivalries run deep and no lead is safe regardless of the score or time remaining. With young stars like Sennecke stepping up in crucial moments and veterans like Strome providing steady leadership, the Ducks appear to be finding their identity as a resilient, dangerous squad that can never be counted out. Meanwhile, the Kings must quickly address their tendency to surrender leads if they hope to climb the standings in the competitive Western Conference and secure a playoff position.
As both clubs prepare for the rematch less than 24 hours later, one thing is certain: Anaheim's ability to rally from deficits has become their calling card, and opponents would be wise to maintain pressure for a full 60 minutes—or risk becoming another comeback victim on the Ducks' growing list of resilient victories.