MVN: Most Valuable Network

The Ducks and Kings are normally bitter rivalry on and off the ice.  However, as they met for the third time this season under a smoky sky, both teams agreed on one thing - helping out fire victims.  Both teams will be collecting donations to aid fire victims and firefighters at all their games this week.

On the ice, it was rivalry as usual in a contest that was far more energetic than the last time the teams met on November 4 at Staples Center.  There was not much more scoring, however.  The Ducks still had to figure out how to get a puck past Erik Ersberg, who has been terrific in goal for the Kings and stopped 24 of 26 shots this evening.  "We played a good team here tonight," said Ersberg.  "We gave it our best effort.  Maybe we ran out of gas a little bit in the end, but we faced a good team today." 

Jonas Hiller did his part in net for the Ducks, earning his first career NHL shutout, stopping 29 shots. "It's a great feeling for a goalie.  I'm definitely happy it finally worked out," said Hiller with a big smile on his face.  "I'm not all about shutouts.  But for sure, you sometimes check the clock and how many minutes are left."

Both the Kings and Ducks had good power play opportunities - a double minor that gave the Kings four minutes in the first period and a 5 on 3 for the Ducks in the second period.  Despite what coach Randy Carlyle called, "big glorious opportunities," on the 5 on 3, neither side was able to convert until midway through the second.  Just :02 seconds after a penalty to the Kings had expired, Corey Perry put an easy rebound past Ersberg at 11:36.  

The score remained 1-0 until late in the third period.  With players clumped along the left boards, Chris Kunitz dug out the puck and got it back to Bret Hedican at the blue line.  Hedican had a virtually clear shot that beat Ersberg at 15:40.  Hedican's first of the year, first as a Duck, and the insurance marker the Ducks needed as time was running out.

Hedican, who has had a mere 55 goals in his prior 998 NHL games, was quite happy after the game.  "I'll take them any way I can get them right now," Hedican beamed.  "They are few and far between."  Goal #56 came at the right time. 

Another shutout for the Ducks over the Kings, the first time ever that the Ducks have shut them out in consecutive contests.  It was also the first shut out at home since March 4, 2001.  A nice way to end a losing streak, and the fans got on their feet to express well-deserved appreciation as time ran out and the buzzer sounded.

Next up, the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

In other notes:  Both Bobby Ryan and Brett Festerling made their season debut after having been called up from Iowa yesterday.  Festerling, a defenseman, made his NHL debut, playing 17:42, primarily alongside Scott Niedermayer.  Festerling was called up due to an unfortunate injury to Francois Beauchemin on Friday night.  Beauchemin, Niedermayer's usual partner, is out for at least 6 months with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Because Beauchemin's salary was able to be moved off the books due to the long-term injury, there was enough salary cap room to bring up Ryan as well.  Ryan saw time on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, registering two shots on goal.  "He did a lot of the things that we asked him to do," said Carlyle.  Ryan, who had no idea Beauchemin was injured, was pleasantly surprised to get the call and was on a plane two hours later.

The changed line-up also included Rob Niedermayer as a healthy scratch for the first time in years.  Carlyle let him know this morning rather than just prior to game time.  "He has more to give," alluded the coach.  There will be more conversations between the two tomorrow as Carlyle holds one-on-one meetings with all of his players.