He's back, but Ducks go on attack

Perry gives Kings lift at 40 while his first-place former team stages big rally for crosstown win

- BY KEVIN BAXTER

TOP: The Ducks' Mason McTavish scores the winning goal in the shootout. Above, left: Former longtime Ducks winger Corey Perry (10) attempts a shot in his first game against Anaheim for the Kings. Above, right: Fallen Kings defenseman Jacob Moverare blocks a pass.

(Harry How Getty Images William Liang Associated Press Harry How Getty Images)

A lot of people return home for the Thanksgiving weekend. But for Corey Perry, Friday's homecoming was more than a little bit awkward.

One of the most decorated players in Ducks history, Perry was greeted by a smattering of boos when he wore a Kings sweater into Honda Center for the first time. Two hours later he left, carrying the sting of a Ducks victory in which his old team rallied from deficits three times before winning the first rivalry game of the season 5-4 in a shootout.

"Great comeback," said winger Chris Kreider, whose second-period power-play goal got the Ducks started. "A good job of fighting back. It's definitely a confident feeling."

Leo Carlsson, who suffered through two dismal losing seasons during the long post-Perry rebuild in Anaheim, had two assists and the tying goal with 91 seconds left in regulation for the Ducks, who trailed 4-2 with less than 10 minutes to play.

"It's a different team," Carlsson said. "Hungry. Different mentality too. So it's been great so far this season."

Only Ryan Getzlaf has played more games for the Ducks then Perry, who left Anaheim in 2019 after 14 seasons, beginning an aimless tour of the NHL in which he played for five teams before signing with the Kings last summer.

The Ducks haven't posted a winning record since he departed.