Ducks deny Kings chance to clinch playoff spot with 3-1 Freeway Faceoff win

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Alex Killorn and Trevor Zegras scored in the third period, and the Anaheim Ducks prevented the Los Angeles Kings from securing a playoff spot with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night.

Frank Vatrano also scored, Lukas Dostal made 36 saves, and the Ducks beat their Freeway Faceoff foes for the first time in three meetings. The season series concludes in Los Angeles on Saturday.

“Obviously, for them, they want to clinch, and it’s a big moment for them, but I thought our team played great against a really good team,” Killorn said.

Akil Thomas scored and Cam Talbot made 24 saves for the Kings, who had won three straight games.

Los Angeles's loss also put the chance to avenge two straight first-round playoff losses to Edmonton at risk. Vegas is one point behind the Kings for third place in the Pacific Division with a game in hand.

“It seems like the Kings-Anaheim games are always close, regardless of where each team is in the standings,” Los Angeles center Blake Lizotte said. “Clinching a playoff spot is always difficult, especially when it comes down to the last four or five games of the year, but now we have to get it done next game.”

Killorn and Ducks coach Greg Cronin said delaying the Kings’ playoff qualification wasn’t a priority, but rookie center Leo Carlsson was well aware of the stakes coming in.

“It’s just nice to destroy their hopes a little bit,” Carlsson said.

The Ducks went in front 2-1 at 1:51 of the third period when Killorn beat Talbot on a wrist shot from the high slot shortly after a power play expired.

Killorn looked to have put Anaheim ahead during the man advantage, but Los Angeles successfully challenged the goal because he was offside. It didn’t matter as he did end up tallying his 18th goal 29 seconds later.

“It’s hard to score goals in this league so whenever they get taken away, it’s pretty tough, so I was happy that I can get it back quickly,” Killorn said.

Zegras made it 3-1 at 5:50, taking the puck from Jordan Spence in the neutral zone and scoring off the rush on a wrist shot from the left circle. It was just the fifth goal of a disappointing season for Zegras individually and the Ducks as a team.

“There’s a lot of guys playing for different things,” Killorn said. “I don’t know what the team”s going to look like next year. I’m sure there’s guys that want to be here next year. For certain guys, they want to get momentum and some chemistry headed into next year.”

The Southern California rivals traded goals in the first period. Thomas got his second career goal after Trevor Lewis got in on net, forcing Dostal out of position before throwing the puck back into the paint for the 24-year-old rookie to score.

Vatrano tied it up with his 33rd goal of the season, capitalizing on a rebound of Radko Gudas’ shot from the right point and putting it around Talbot. It was Vatrano’s third goal in the past two games.

“Our first 10, 12 minutes were great, playing Kings hockey, and we kind of drifted away from that,” Lizotte said. “A few guys were on their own page more than we’d like. And you have to give them credit too. They have some skilled players and took advantage of our mistakes."

UP NEXT

Kings: Host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Ducks: Host the Flames on Friday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) reacts after a blocked shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Anaheim Ducks players celebrate a goal by Ducks center Trevor Zegras (11) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras (11) looks to shoot the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Anaheim Ducks players celebrate a goal by left wing Alex Killorn (17) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) scores a goal past Los Angeles Kings center Akil Thomas (41) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) looks to shoot the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Gustav Lindstrom (28) checks Los Angeles Kings center Akil Thomas (41) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Los Angeles Kings center Blake Lizotte (46) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (60) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Los Angeles Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) reacts after a check by Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (19) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, bottom, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Schwarber had a two-run single in the second inning, Alec Bohm extended his hitting streak to 15 games and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Wednesday.

Philadelphia won the getaway game despite striking out 18 times, the 11th time since 1906 the team has whiffed at least that many times in a game.

Nick Castellanos struck out four times for the fifth time in his career.

“I haven't seen that for awhile and don't know what to attribute that to. I guess guys were making perfect pitches on us,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Today wasn't our best day offensively but we grinded through it. You have to win those types of games when you're not at your best.”

Ehire Adrianza hit his first home run in nearly three years for the Angels, who went 3-6 on their homestand and have not won any of their five home series this season.

Los Angeles went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. It had runners on first and third with one out in the ninth, but Gregory Soto struck out Jo Adell and Taylor Ward hit a fly ball to the warning track in left field where Schwarber caught it for the final out to secure Soto's second save.

Adell also struck out four times.

“We just have to learn how to touch the ball and put it in play and keep things working that way until our offense starts to click,” manager Ron Washington said.

Zack Wheeler (3-3) won his third straight start after he allowed one run on five hits and struck out six in five innings as the Phillies won seven of 10 games on their road trip.

Angels starter Patrick Sandoval (1-5) struck out 10, the fourth time in his career he has posted double digits in strikeouts. The left-hander gave up two runs on four hits, and retired the last eight hitters he faced, including five via strikeout.

“Minus that second inning I feel like I had my best stuff the whole year,” Sandoval said. “I feel like a lot of long at-bats in the second inning with some of those guys. I couldn't seal the deal and they made me pay for it.”

All of the runs scored in the second inning.

The Phillies had the bases loaded with two outs when Schwarber hit a sharp grounder up the middle — just beyond the glove of diving Angels shortstop Zach Neto — to drive in two runs.

“When I hit it, I didn't see the shortstop until it got by Sandoval. It kind of stayed inside and was true up the middle and almost hit the bag,” Schwarber said.

The Angels responded on Adrianza's solo shot to right-center. It was his first homer since Oct. 1, 2021, when he was with the Atlanta Braves.

Bohm's base hit in the third inning extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. He is hitting .483 during the run (29 for 60), including 21 for 42 with 12 RBIs during the road trip.

Luis Rengifo kept it a one-run game in the seventh when he threw out Whit Merrifield at home. The Angels second baseman had a sharp grounder by Schwarber deflect off his glove, but he recovered in time by picking up the loose ball and throwing home, where Matt Thaiss applied the tag to Merrifield.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: INF Miguel Sanó was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 28, due to left knee inflammation.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (4-1, 3.20 ERA) takes the mound on Friday against San Francisco to open a six-game homestand.

Angels: Hit the road for six games. RHP José Soriano (0-4, 4.76 ERA) looks for his first win on Friday in Cleveland.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss, right, tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Whit Merrifield at home plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Gregory Soto reacts after Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward flies out to left field during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Gregory Soto throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Gregory Soto, left, greets right fielder Nick Castellanos after the Phillies defeat the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington (37) congratulates Ehire Adrianza (13) for hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval throws to a Philadelphia Phillies batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Home plate umpire Chad Whitson, left, talks to Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper after Harper strikes out looking during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss, right, tags out Philadelphia Phillies' Whit Merrifield at home plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto greets teammates after scoring with Whit Merrifield on a two-RBI single by Kyle Schwarber against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, right, hits a two-RBI single next to Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss and home plate umpire Chad Whitson (62) during the second inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)