NHL: Los Angeles 4, Anaheim 2

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ANAHEIM, Calif., March 17 (UPI) -- Alec Martinez opened a three-goal first period Friday that led Los Angeles to a 4-2 win over Anaheim and further tightened the Western Conference playoff race.

The Kings won their third in a row and climbed to 80 points, putting them in a three-way tie for ninth place with San Jose and Calgary.

The seventh through 11th spots in the West are separated by a single point.

Martinez scored 2:40 into the game and Los Angeles then got first-period goals from Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.

The Ducks climbed back within one on goals from Cam Fowler in the second period and Luca Sbisa 3:53 into the third.

Jonathan Quick then shut the door and the Kings put it away with an empty-net goal from Mike Richards with 11 seconds to go. Anaheim's Jonas Hiller gave up three goals on 42 shots.