ANAHEIM DUCKS are tied for first in the NHL Pacific.

By Pete Zarustica

After bouncing up and down in the NHL Pacific Division for most of the season, the Anaheim Ducks are finally back on top. With John Gibson again doing a sterling job in goal, the Orange County team defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 Wednesday night at Honda Center to jump into first place.

The victory put the Ducks record at 20-12-8, worth 48 points and tie for the division lead with the San Jose Sharks (23-13-2). It was Anaheim’s third win in four games, following a three-game losing streak.

Gibson had 23 saves in the shutout. The Anaheim goals were scored by Nick Ritchie (his ninth of the season) and Ondrej Kase (third).

“We held ourselves accountable to have a bounce-back game,” Gibson said, referring to the game against then Philadelphia Flyers, when their opponents took 54 shots on goal.

“We did a good job of slowing them down in the neutral zone. They’re a fast team, and that’s where they get a lot of offense from, so I think we executed our game plan really well.”

On Friday the Ducks will host the Arizona Coyotes (11-22-5) at Honda Center