The Anaheim Ducks just keep on winning.
After struggling to Christmas, the Ducks have rapidly ascended through the Pacific Division and Western Conference standings. They’re the hottest team in the National Hockey League right now with nine straight victories. They came back to beat the Montreal Canadiens by a final score of 3-2 in the shootout on Wednesday.
They now move into a tie with their rivals, the L.A. Kings, for first place in the Pacific Division. Both teams are even with 78 points.
Corey Perry, who was left off Team Canada’s preliminary World Cup roster, scored the tying goal -- his 27th of the season -- and Jakob Silfverberg scored the winner in the shootout.
Jakob Silfverberg owns the best shootout efficiency rating in NHL history (minimum 20 attempts) at 62.1 percent (18-for-29).
— Curtis Zupke (@curtiszupke) March 3, 2016
That race in the Pacific has tightened considerably over the last few weeks. Previously considered the weaker of the divisions in the league, the fight for top spot has become between three teams, while Vancouver, Arizona, Calgary and Edmonton have all fallen well off the pace.
And those top three California teams now have 20 games remaining on each of their respective schedules to try to win the division and avoid what would likely be a physically brutal opening round confrontation.