Anaheim Ducks defeat Edmonton Oilers, gain ground on Los Angeles Kings

The Ducks were ready to return home.

Corey Perry scored his 31st goal of the season and John Gibson made 27 saves Monday night to help the Ducks defeat the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, and pull within a point of the first-place Kings in the Pacific Division.

“I thought we were resilient, but we were pretty sloppy tonight and we looked a little tired,” said Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau, whose team will play its next four games in Anaheim after wrapping up a five-game Canadian trip.

“It was a good win for us to have at the end of a long road trip, allowing only one goal. But they missed some opportunities, but [Gibson] was the difference in the game.”

Brandon Pirri also scored for the playoff-bound Ducks, who gained ground on the Kings when the division leaders lost later Monday night to the San Jose Sharks, 5-2.

“I think we wanted to carry off from last game,” Gibson said, “and I think it’s more about playing the right way now and not just for the end of the trip, but heading into playoffs.”

Nail Yakupov scored in the third period for the Oilers, who have lost two in a row. Cam Talbot made 23 saves.

“I thought we played a solid game, just a couple of mental breaks, but I thought we played hard,” Oilers forward Patrick Maroon said. “If we play like this every night this is going to be a good team moving forward. We’re on the right path.”

Anaheim won the season series 4-0-1.

Perry scored 4:02 into the game on Anaheim’s first shot — a slap shot from just above the right faceoff dot.

The Ducks made the score 2-0 with 7:12 to lay in the second period when Oilers defenseman Adam Clendening coughed up the puck and Pirri smacked in his 13th goal of the season.

The two teams had 18 shots each through 40 minutes. The Oilers’ best chance was a shot late in the second period by Taylor Hall that Gibson directed off the post.

Edmonton got back into the game with 8:20 left when Hall set up Yakupov’s goal, which came on a day when reports circulated that Yakupov had asked to be traded.

“I think the day affected him,” Oilers Coach Todd McLellan said. “I think the response from the fans affected him. Once he got into the game he played a little better as the night went on.”

The Oilers were unable to get the equalizer with Talbot on the bench for the extra attacker.