from Curtis Zupke of the LA Times,

Nate Thompson blocked a shot with his knee. A prone Derek Forbort punched the puck out of harm’s way with his glove after he lost his stick.

The element that had been missing in the Kings’ game — desire, desperation — came alive during a first-period penalty kill Tuesday.

Other parts unfolded well. They got goals by three of their four lines, namely Dustin Brown, Kyle Clifford and Ilya Kovalchuk, against probably the best goalie in the NHL this season in the Ducks’ John Gibson. It wasn’t a season-defining performance, but a 4-1 win at Staples Center properly kicked off the tenure of new Kings coach Willie Desjardins.

Jeff Carter saved the puck for Desjardins, who had more impatience than nerves beforehand.

“It was good to get back,” Desjardins said. “You’re sitting there and you’re waiting in the room and it’s like the game’s never going to start. It’s been a while since I’ve been on that bench. The pace was good, and there’s some heavy boys on both teams.”

continued

Below, Eilliott Teaford of the OC Register on the Ducks losing their 8th game in 9 games plus the game highlights.