Kings continue struggles against Ducks in overtime loss

As frustrations continue to grow for the Los Angeles Kings, a 2-1 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks marked their fourth straight. Los Angeles is now 19-16-13 overall after falling short against the Ducks for the second consecutive evening.

Adrian Kempe scored the only Kings' goal as a familiar story for the squad echoed through the arena at the Honda Center on Saturday evening. Six of the last nine games for the squad have now gone into overtime, with only three victories materialising during that span.

It was the 16th goal of the season for Kempe, closing in on Kevin Fiala's current team-leading mark of 17. Making the most of a two-man advantage in the opening minutes of the second period, the forward rocketed one past Ducks' goaltender Ville Husso to get Los Angeles on the board.

Mason McTavish had given Anaheim a first-period lead with his 12th score, using a strong shot to escape the save attempt of Anton Forsberg. McTavish also delivered the dagger goal in Anaheim's shootout victory on Friday night.

Following a scoreless third frame, the two sides headed to overtime, desperately looking for a winning score.

Ultimately, Mikael Granlund provided the Ducks with the moment they were searching for, dancing the puck all the way up the ice and converting on a snapshot from the right side. Forsberg fell to 7-6-4 in the losing effort, saving 31 of the 33 shots sent his way.

Rookie Beckett Sennecke provided the assist on the play, continuing to make an impact for the second straight evening. The 19-year-old had two assists and a goal in Friday's shootout.

Anaheim claimed the season series 3-1, sweeping a two-day battle in the Freeway Faceoff to do so. Three of the four games between the crosstown rivals this year ended in overtime.

Extra hockey has been a formality for the Kings this season, with their 20 overtime games thus far leading the NHL. Having lost four of their last five in such scenarios, Los Angeles has seen a drop to sixth in the Pacific Division.

With the mightily struggling New York Rangers coming into Los Angeles for a battle next Tuesday, the Kings will have a prime opportunity to flip momentum back in their direction. New York has the fewest points in the Eastern Conference, with General Manager Chris Drury even signaling a total rebuild looming in a letter sent out to fans on Friday.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT.