RICKARD RAKELL scored the winning goal in the Anaheim Ducks  2-1 victory over the Kings Friday night at Honda Center (Bridget Samuels photo).

Whatever the Anaheim Ducks pay Rickard Rakell, it’s not enough.

He scored the winning goal in the team’s 2-1 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, allowing them to keep alive hopes for third place in the NHL Pacific Division and keep the inside lane in the wild card race.

Nick Ritchie tied the game at 16:55 of the second period, and after a scoreless third, Rakell won it at 4:41 of extra time. Also starring was goalkeeper John Gibson with 28 saves.

The victory put the Ducks at 40-25-13, worth 93 points. That’s one point behind the Kings with 94 points in the struggle for third. The top three teams in each division make the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Also, the Ducks are now one points head of the St. Louis Blues in the competition for a Western Conference wild card spot.

“We showed some resiliency, but so did they,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “This is typical L.A.-Anaheim game. It could’ve went either way. We were fortunate enough to find one in overtime.”

Next up for the Ducks in a game Sunday hosting the Colorado Avalanche (42-28-8) at Honda Center.