Deslauriers, Ducks defeat Kings to end three-game losing streak

LOS ANGELES -- Nicolas Deslauriers had a goal and an assist, and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 to end a three-game losing streak at Staples Center on Tuesday.

Arthur Kaliyev scored in his NHL debut, and Cal Petersen made 40 saves for the Kings (3-4-2).
Kaliyev, a second-round pick (No. 33) in the 2019 NHL Draft, is the 21st Kings player to score in his first NHL game, and at 19 years, 221 days, he is the second teenager, joining Anze Kopitar (19 years, 43 days on Oct. 6, 2006).

"There's nothing that I didn't like," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "He's a young player that is, he was excited to play. The guys were excited for him. That gave us a little bit of life and a little bit of energy, so when a 19-year-old can come in and do that … He's obviously dangerous when he's got the puck and in and around the net."
John Gibson made 20 saves for the Ducks (4-5-2).
The Ducks started quickly against the shorthanded Kings, who did not have defensemen Matt Roy and Sean Walker, each injured at the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, and forwards
Andreas Athanasiou
and
Blake Lizotte
, who are in the NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Danton Heinen gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead at 10:07 of the first period. The Kings couldn't clear a bouncing centering pass by Jakob Silfverberg, and Heinen got to the slot to chip it over Petersen.

Anaheim outshot Los Angeles 15-4 in the first period and 43-21 in the game. It was the third time this season the Ducks outshot an opponent (1-1-1).
"It's about chances, right? If you're not getting chances, it's a different problem," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "Tonight, we rung one or two off the post. It's always interesting. Right now, it seems like those posts are not our friend."
David Backes made it 2-0 17 seconds into the second period. The forward was at the right edge of the crease for a one-timer off a backhand pass by Carter Rowney from behind the net. It was the first NHL goal for Backes since Dec. 1, 2019, with the Boston Bruins.
The 36-year-old has played in the Ducks' past three games after passing through waivers and starting the season with San Diego of the American Hockey League.
"Just feel blessed for the opportunity," Backes said. "Been through some tough times since last February, and to be in the lineup with a position to succeed and having people like Dallas believe in me and breathe life into me, it's huge. ... I got back to the bench, and I said, 'I forget how good it feels to score.' Got to keep doing it."
Kaliyev got the Kings within 2-1 at 5:32 of the second period, crashing the net to put in Michael Amadio's rebound.
"It was a really special moment getting the first one," Kaliyev said. "You never forget one of those moments, getting your first goal. I think it was a pretty good game. A lot of nerves at the start of the game, but I thought I tried to play my best out there."
Deslauriers scored into an empty net at 19:14 to make it 3-1 and complete the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. He had an assist on Backes' goal and fought Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid three seconds into the game.