THE ANAHEIM DUCKS are off to a 5-1-1 start.

The Anaheim Ducks tightened their grip on first place in the NHL Pacific Division with a 5-2 win Wednesday over the New York Islanders on the road.

Now 5-1-1, with 13 points, the Ducks were led by Ryan Kesler, who scored twice. In goal, John Gibson made 34 saves.

Next up for the Ducks is a game in Las Vegas on Saturday against the Golden Knights (3-4-0, six points).  On Sunday the Ducks will be back at Honda Center hosting the Buffalo Sabres (3-3-0, six points.

Dodgers one step from the Series

With a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers moved to within one game of playing in the World Series.

Clayton Kershaw was the man of the hour, working seven innings while yielding just three hits and one run. He struck out nine batters and walked two as the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

Game Six will be on Friday in Milwaukee. A seventh game – if needed – would be played on Saturday, again in Wisconsin.

And there’s more ….

The new look Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstar LeBron James, will start their 2018-19 season on Thursday in Portland against the Trailblazers … The Los Angeles Rams will seek to extend their record to 7-0 on Sunday when they play the San Francisco 49ers (1-5) at Levi Stadium . . . The Los Angeles Chargers (6-2) on Sunday will have a real road game when they play the Tennessee Titans (3-3) in London . . . UCLA’s football team (1-5) will host Arizona (3-4) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday . . . USC (4-2) will be on the road Saturday visiting Utah (4-2) in Salt Late City.