Key play: Ryan Kesler scored a shorthanded goal 10 seconds into the third period, converting on a centering pass from teammate Jakob Silfverberg, and the Ducks went on to take a 3-1 victory Sunday from the Dallas Stars at the Honda Center.

Playoff update: The Ducks (44-24-10, 98 points) leapfrogged the idle Kings (46-27-5, 97 points) and moved into first place in the Pacific Division. The teams each have four regular-season games remaining, including a showdown Thursday against each other at Staples Center.

Pivotal performer: Center Nate Thompson scored his third goal in as many games, beating Stars goaltender Antti Niemi on a breakaway while the Ducks were shorthanded in the second period. Thompson intercepted a pass from Stars defenseman John Klingberg and skated in alone.

Milestone moment: Ducks left wing Andrew Cogliano played in his 700 th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the NHL. Cogliano’s streak also is the sixth-longest streak in league history. Doug Jarvis set the Ironman standard with 964 consecutive games played between 1975 and 1987.

Quote, unquote: “It was our best game in a month,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We were a pretty determined group. We knew what their strengths were. I thought we put together a good game plan and the players executed it really well.”

Injury update: Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen sat out for the second game because of a concussion. Boudreau said Andersen took shots during a morning workout. John Gibson started his fourth consecutive game and Anton Khudobin served as his backup.