THE ANAHEIM DUCKS won their eighth game in nine starts Saturday by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime.

The numbers are getting pretty impressive. Five road wins in a row. Eight victories in nine games. Ten wins in 12 contests.

But the numbers that counted Saturday night were two goals by Daniel Sprong as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 in Columbus.

That win put the Ducks’ record at 18-11-3, worth 41 points and second place in the NHL Pacific Division. They still trail the Calgary Flames (44 points), who are even hotter than the Anaheim team.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, the Ducks got the equalizer from Sprong, but that was all the scoring in regulation time. Then, in overtime, Sprong got his second goal of the night at 1:19 and kept the team skating along.

“The coaching staff and management gave me an opportunity to play the role I think I can play,” Sprong said in his postgame interview. “Playing with Rico and Ritchie has really been helping me out. Right now I’m getting the looks and putting pucks on net. I’m excited to be here.”

Sprong’s heroics were greatly assisted by goalkeeper John Gibson, who had 36 saves on 37 shots.

Next for the Ducks is a game Monday in Pittsburgh against the Penguins (15-11-6, 36 points).