Adrian Kempe, Kings dismiss Ducks in regular-season finale, will face Edmonton in playoffs
Kempe has three goals and an assist and the Kings clinch third place in the Pacific Division with a 5-3 victory, leaving the last-place Ducks with the best odds in a crucial draft lottery
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, top right, celebrates with Alex Iafallo (19) and Drew Doughty (8) after Kempe scored during the third period of their regular-season finale against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kempe had three goals and one assist in the Kings’ 5-3 win. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, right, scores past Ducks goaltender John Gibson during the first period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins watches from behind the bench during the first period of their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty, left, slides on the ice as the Ducks’ Ryan Strome races to try to take the puck during their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Troy Terry, second from left, celebrates his goal with Cam Fowler, left, Simon Benoit (13) and Adam Henrique, right, during the first period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Ducks celebrate after Troy Terry (19) scored a goal during the first period of their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks celebrate a goal by right wing Troy Terry, obscured, during the first period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks right wing Troy Terry, right, celebrates with defenseman Cam Fowler after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Ducks’ Troy Terry celebrates his goal with the bench during the first period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks left wing Max Jones, left, Kings defenseman Sean Walker, center, and Kings center Rasmus Kupari vie for the puck during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Officials break up a fight between Ducks center Sam Carrick, left, and Kings center Phillip Danault during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Mikey Anderson brings the puck up the ice between the Ducks’ Sam Carrick (39) and Colton White, right, during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, right, celebrates with Adrian Kempe, center, and Quinton Byfield after Kopitar scored a goal during the first period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings center Anze Kopitar is congratulated as he skates past the bench after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Carl Grundstrom, left, fends off the Ducks’ Simon Benoit as he reaches for the puck during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks defenseman Colton White, right, passes the puck as Kings left wing Alex Iafallo defends during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Rasmus Kupari, left, has his shot stopped by Ducks goaltender John Gibson during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks right wing Troy Terry, right, shoots as Kings center Anze Kopitar defends during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson covers the puck as the Kings’ Blake Lizotte is knocked off balance by Cam Fowler (4) during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson, left, blocks a shot by the Kings’ Alex Iafallo, right, during the first period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, left, defends against Ducks center Nikita Nesterenko during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson, left, makes a save on a shot from the Kings during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov, left, and the Ducks’ Troy Terry battle for the puck during the second period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Simon Benoit breaks past the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty reaches for the puck after falling to the ice during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) scores past Ducks goaltender John Gibson during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)uring the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Trevor Moore, center, celebrates with Viktor Arvidsson, right, and Phillip Danault after scoring to give his team a 3-1 lead during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) celebrates with right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and center Phillip Danault, right, after scoring during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins watches from behind the bench during the first period of their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Trevor Zegras, left, chases after the puck in front of the Kings’ Mikey Anderson during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Trevor Moore controls the puck as the Ducks’ Cam Fowler trails after him during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk, left, and the Kings’ Alex Iafallo play for a rebound during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Kevin Fiala makes a pass as he is chased by the Ducks’ Nikita Nesterenko during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, left, controls the puck against Kings right wing Adrian Kempe during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo makes a save during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Phillip Danault skates after the puck as he is stopped by the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson shoots during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Ducks’ Troy Terry, center, plays the puck in front of the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov, left, and Matt Roy during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Troy Terry, right, takes a shot as he is chased by the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Frank Vatrano, right, forechecks on the Kings’ Sean Durzi during the second period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings left wing Trevor Moore reaches for the puck after falling to the ice during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Viktor Arvidsson, right, attempts a pass in front of the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk during the first period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Three separate fights break out between the Kings and the Ducks during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Ducks and the Kings brawl on the ice during the third period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kings and Ducks players fight during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings and Ducks players fight during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kings center Phillip Danault (24) was penalized and Ducks center Trevor Zegras (11) was ejected. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Drew Doughty (8) reacts as he grabs on to the Ducks’ Simon Benoit (13) with Arthur Kaliyev (34) trying to stay involved during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Sean Durzi, top, pins the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk to the ice after both teams broke out in a brawl during the third period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk, right, and the Kings’ Phillip Danault stand along the boards after a scrum on the ice during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The referee orders Ducks forward Trevor Zegras to the penalty box after a fight broke out during their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks forward Trevor Zegras argues with the referee on why he should go to the penalty box after a large brawl during the third period of their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Trevor Zegras, right, yells at Kings center Phillip Danault (24) as they go to the penalty boxes during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks left wing Max Jones (49) scores during the third period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks left wing Max Jones celebrates after scoring during the third period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Quinton Byfield, left, skates after the puck past the Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Colton White, right, skates after the puck as the Kings’ Phillip Danault keeps an eye on him during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Carl Grundstrom, right, is checked by the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk as he skates after the puck during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, right, fends off the Ducks’ Simon Benoit for the puck along the boards during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ducks center Trevor Zegras controls the puck during the third period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Ducks’ Trevor Zegras celebrates his goal to cut their deficit to 4-3 during the third period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, takes a pass for a breakaway past the Ducks’ Cam Fowler (4) and Benoit-Olivier Groulx, left, during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, looks to make a play with the puck as he is chased by the Ducks’ Cam Fowler during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates after right wing Adrian Kempe (9) scored during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, top right, celebrates with Alex Iafallo (19) and Drew Doughty after Kempe scored during the third period of their regular-season finale against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kempe had three goals and one assist in the Kings’ 5-3 win. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins watches from behind the bench during the first period of their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates his power-play goal with Drew Doughty (8), Alex Iafallo (19) and Viktor Arvidsson (33), during the third period of their 5-3 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates after scoring during the third period of their 5-3 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kempe had three goals and an assist as the Kings clinched third place in the Pacific Division. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe celebrates after scoring during the third period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ducks center Sam Carrick is ejected during the third period of their game against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, reacts after scoring an empty-net goal for a hat trick as the Ducks’ Adam Henrique looks on during the third period on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates with center Phillip Danault (24) after their 5-3 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kempe had three goals and an assist. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo after their 5-3 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center. Kempe had three goals and an assist. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Wild Wing, the Ducks’ mascot, tries to rally the crowd during their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Wild Wing, the Ducks’ mascot, poses for a photo with a fan before their regular-season finale against the Kings on Thursday night at Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ANAHEIM — On the final night of the regular season for the Kings and Ducks – teams occupying wildly different ends of the spectrum – they found a form of common ground on Thursday night at Honda Center.
Their fates and fortunes were, in part, determined elsewhere.
In short:
By losing 5-3 to the Kings, the defeat ensured that the Ducks will finish last overall in the NHL, thereby securing the best odds (25.5%) in the draft lottery on May 8 and the chance to win the right to select Connor Bedard, who is widely considered the best prospect in hockey since Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid. But they received some late ‘help’ in the race to the bottom a little more than half an hour before their own game started when the Columbus Blue Jackets tied the Pittsburgh Penguins with 3:25 remaining in regulation and went on to win in overtime.
That win gave the Blue Jackets 59 points, one more than the last-place Ducks, who have missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons but can fall no lower than third in the lottery, which means they will get a premium prospect in a top-heavy field headlined by forwards Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Matvei Michkov.
“Long year, a challenging year,” Ducks goalie John Gibson said. “It was the circumstances that we were in. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it was fun. It was a long year. It was growing pains. I wish I had an answer.
“That’s the most frustrating part. Sometimes we looked good. Sometimes we looked bad. The only thing we were consistent at was being inconsistent.”
As for the Kings, there was the question of a playoff opponent. Heading into the game, there were two possibilities – Edmonton or the Vegas Golden Knights and the Kings left the ice still awaiting the Vegas result that would decide their foe. The Golden Knights’ 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken assured the Kings and Oilers will meet in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. Game 1 is Monday night in Edmonton.
A year ago, the Oilers trailed 3-2 in the best-of-seven series but went on to win, taking Game 7, 2-0, in Canada. The Kings were without defenseman Drew Doughty and forward Viktor Arvidsson.
This time around there are other injury concerns for the Kings. They are still without forwards Kevin Fiala and Gabe Vilardi and defenseman Alex Edler, who is getting closer to returning, did not play against the Ducks.
Adrian Kempe’s four-point night – three goals and one assist – paced the Kings. Kempe’s fourth career hat trick included his 39th, 40th goals and 41st goals of the season, another impressive campaign after his breakthrough season a year ago. His 41 goals – making him the first King with a 40-goal season since Luc Robitaille in 1993-1994 – are six more than last season – and his 67 points are 13 more than last season.
“The fact that he’s been able to elevate his play almost on a weekly basis – he just keeps getting better – is a real good sign for him as an individual and us as an organization for a long time,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “Less streaky than he was in the past. Scores big goals. Scores them from all over the place. While he’s doing that, he’s physical and defending well.
“Hell of a year. Hell of a player.”
Two of Kempe’s goals came on the power play as the Kings went 3 for 8 with the man advantage and his hat trick came on an empty-netter with 1:38 remaining in regulation.
“I probably didn’t think about it before the season,” Kempe said of hitting the 40-goal plateau. “But obviously throughout the year, I just tried to stay with my game and not focus too much of where I’m at in terms of goals and stuff like that. Playing with some really good players.
“They were looking for me all night. I’m just very happy I’m out there with those guys. My linemates helped me all year to score, to get there.”
Kings goalie Joonas Korpisalo made 21 saves, making his second start in as many games. The last time he started in back-to-back games was March 28 and March 30, both losses.
Arvidsson had three assists and Doughty had two assists. Captain Anze Kopitar (No. 28) and Trevor Moore (No. 10) scored the Kings’ other goals.
Shaking off a 2-5-0 skid that killed their chances at the division title, the Kings won their final two games to finish with 104 points, the second-most in franchise history behind the 1974-75 squad (105).
Kempe and Moore scored goals in quick succession in the second period to turn a 1-1 game into a 3-1 lead.
Troy Terry (No. 23) scored in the first period for the Ducks, and Max Jones (No. 9) and Trevor Zegras (No. 23) scored in what was a fight-filled third period. Gibson, who made 31 saves, made his first start since April 1.
The Ducks were running the gamut of emotions after finishing the season on a 13-game winless streak. Their power play was ranked 30th, the penalty kill was 31st and their goals allowed (338) was the most since the San Jose Sharks gave up 357 in the 1995-96 season. The Ducks ranked last in the NHL in goal differential (minus-129) – the league’s worst since the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers (minus-143).
“I think it’s a lot,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “It’s sadness. It’s frustration. There’s a number of things that we’re very proud of. There’s a lot that, it just comes in waves. I am proud that in a game like this – where it’s our last game – and we know it is totally over, that they still had some rage in them.
“They went out and battled hard and really kept the love of the rivalry between us and the Kings.”
There were three Ducks players making their NHL debut in the waning days of the season, including defensemen Jackson LaCombe and Drew Helleson, who both drew in against the Kings. Rookie Mason McTavish missed the finale with an upper-body injury but played in 80 of 82 games and was in the Calder Trophy conversation for most of the season.
Terry knows what it is like to have endured tough times early in his career.
“I never wanted Mac (McTavish) to go through that but some of those guys get to see what it’s like,” Terry said of a losing season. “To have that feeling that we all have right now. And we never want to feel like this again.”
Lisa Dillman is the beat writer covering the Anaheim Ducks for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. Previously Dillman has covered the NHL for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and the Athletic.
