JOHN GIBSON had 27 saves in goal for the Anaheim Ducks in their 3-1 win Thursday over the Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Bridget Samuels).

By Pete Zarustica

Slowly but surely the Anaheim Ducks are creeping up on first place in the NHL Pacific Division. With a 3-1 win over the Canucks in Vancouver Thursday, the Ducks are 12-8-4, which is worth 28 points and second place, just one point behind San Jose.

John Gibson starred in goal for the Ducks with 27 saves. Goals were scored by Jakob Silfverberg, Andrew Cogliano and Ondrej Kase, who had his first career tally.

After a scoreless first period, Anaheim went ahead on goals by Silfverberg (eighth of the season) and Kase. Vancouver cut the lead to 2-1 with score at 13 minutes of the third period, but Cogliano’s sixth goal of the year at 17:35 settled the matter.

“He had a great game,” said Cogliano of Gibson’s performance. “He’s at the top of his game right now in terms of giving us a chance to win every night. He’s done a good job of shutting down their opportunities.”

The Ducks are back in action on Saturday, visiting the Edmonton Oilers (13-10-2).

In other NHL action, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-3 on the road to improve to 13-10-1, good for fourth place in the NHL Pacific.