COREY PERRY scored the first goal in Tuesday’s 4-1 win for the Anaheim Ducks over the Vancouver Canucks. The win clinched a fifth straight Stanley Cup playoff berth for the team. (Bridget Samuels photo).

By Pete Zarustica

The Anaheim Ducks punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fifth year in a row with their 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night at in British Columbia.

Despite playing without injured captain Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks scored three times in the first period and coasted to the win. The win also kept Anaheim (42-23-11) in first place in the NHL Pacific Division, two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers.

“We wanted to get off to a good start,” said Patrick Eaves, who scored the second goal of the game for the Ducks. “They came into our building a little while ago and played good against us. We didn’t forget that. We wanted to get a push from the start and got two early goals. That was huge. We settled in and played our game. We got the goal at the end of the first was huge, too.”

Anaheim led off the scoring parade with a tally by Corey Perry. After Eaves’ goal, Nick Ritchie lit the red lamp for a 3-0 lead. Early in the second period, Brandon Montour added the fourth goal.

The only Canuck goal was by Brock Boeser. Jonathan Bernier had another outstanding night in goal, making 34 saves. He’s got a 10-1-1 record over his last 12 starts.

Anaheim continues its Canadian journey on Friday when the team takes on the Jets in Winnipeg.