Forward Rickard Rakell has become a catalyst in the Ducks' remarkable rebound from the depths of the NHL standings to the top of the Pacific division by using his hands, not his fists. So the 22-year-old Swede seemed embarrassed Saturday to confirm that his tussle with Kings forward Kris Versteeg was his first NHL fight, though Rakell's effective uppercuts suggested he had been down that pugilistic road before.
"I'm usually a pretty nice guy," Rakell said.
Nice guys, as the cliche goes, finish last. But the Ducks overtook the Kings for first place Saturday thanks in part to the spark Rakell provided in that fight, as well as the offense he provided in the Ducks' 3-2 victory over the goal-starved Kings at Staples Center.