RYAN GETZLAF had four assists in the Ducks’ 6-3 defeat of the NY Rangers on Sunday (Flickr/SlidingSideways).

By Pete Zarustica

The Anaheim Ducks are flying high after their 6-3 win over the New York Rangers Sunday at Honda Center elevated them into first place in the NHL Pacific Division all by themselves.

Ryan Getzlaf had four assists and Patrick Eaves two goals in the victory, which improved the teams record to 41-23-11, worth 93 points. Over the last 10 games, the Ducks have won eight, lost one and had one overtime loss.

“We’re finding ways to win hockey games,” Getzlaf said. “I didn’t love the way we played in the first period, but we found a way to stay in the game and get a couple goals. When we can come out of the first period tied or better, usually we have a good chance to win.”

The teams traded goals over the first two periods, with Eaves, Ryan Kesler and Josh Manson scoring for the Ducks. But with the score tied 3-3 going into the third, the scene shifted from a tight contest into a runaway for Anaheim.

Andrew Cogliano gave the Ducks a 4-3 lead at the 2:19 mark, and Eaves got his second goal at 4:23 to make it 5-3. Nick Ritchie put the icing on the cake – so to speak – with an empty net goal with 1:38 remaining.

Jonathan Bernier had 25 saves in goal for the Ducks.

Anaheim is next in action on Tuesday visiting the Vancouver Canucks (30-36-9).