LA Kings vs Ducks

The LA Kings wrapped up their preseason schedule on Saturday, with a 4-3 shootout loss against the Anaheim Ducks. It was the final opportunity for both teams to fine-tune a few things before the games count in the standings.

Saturday also marked the first time the Kings looked at Trevor Moore as a potential 4C while Quinton Byfield recovers from the fractured ankle.

Period One

  • Two minutes in: Phillip Danault‘s line generates a few scoring chances. Alex Iafallo gathered a rebound and appeared to have a wide-open net, but Ducks’ netminder John Gibson makes a terrific save to keep the game scoreless. Unlike their previous game with the Ducks, it was good to see the Kings be more aggressive to start this game.
  • Six minutes in: Ducks have a hard time clearing their one zone because of the Kings’ heavy forecheck, particularly Viktor Arvidsson. Aggressive forechecking was a point of emphasis for head coach Todd McLellan coming into this season.
  • Zegras goal: Great job by Trevor Zegras to win the faceoff from the left dot and skate toward the net, where he re-directs Kevin Shattenkirk‘s shot past Jonathan Quick. Of note, Zegras won the faceoff against Danault.
  • Six minutes left: Dustin Brown‘s delay of game with a puck over the glass gives Anaheim the first powerplay of the game.
  • Vilardi’s first goal: Vladimir Tkachev creates time in space along the blue line before carrying the puck toward the net. He fires a shot at Gibson, and Vilardi knocks home the rebound. The Tkachev – Vilardi – Andersson line has been buzzing all preseason. And a great play behind the net from Lias Andersson to regain possession.

  • Under one minute left: Doughty cross-checks Zegras into the boards, and he’s called for a penalty.

Period Two

  • Four minutes in: Good to see Sean Walker carrying the puck through the neutral, dishing it to Dustin Brown, who sends the puck across the ice to Arvidsson for a one-timer that Gibson stops. I could get used to seeing more of that.
  • Vilardi’s second goal: Vilardi buys some time in space, firing the puck from the high slot and into the top left corner of the net – a beautiful goal. Credit Bjornfot for keeping the puck in the Kings’ attacking zone.

  • Henrique goal: A goal you could feel coming – Quick had to make a couple of other big saves before Zegras carried the puck back into the Ducks’ attacking zone, finding Adam Henrique with a nifty pass who fired it past the KIngs’ netminder.
  • Eight minutes left: Kopitar finds Arvidsson in the slot right in front of Gibson, but the Kings’ forward is denied. A lot of good looks for No. 33 in this one.
  • Four minutes left: Lemieux draws a hooking penalty. Acquired mid-season last year, he’s had a strong preseason, and he’ll provide the Kings a lot of value on the fourth line.

Period Three

  • One minute in: The Kings with a lot of good puck movement to open the final frame. Again, Arvidsson establishes his position in front of the net, but Kopitar’s pass attempt to him doesn’t get through.
  • Three minutes in: Bjornfot’s stretch pass from his own goal to Arvidsson goes just wide, and the latter gets crunched into the boards, drawing a penalty. Arvidsson went straight to the locker room.
  • Tkachev goal: With Arvidsson out, Tkachev gets a look on the Kings’ second powerplay unit, finding some space and ripping a shot past Gibson.

  • Six minutes in: Lemieux and Kaliyev get matching cross-checking penalties, giving the Ducks a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage.
  • Comtois goal: That didn’t take long.
  • One minute left: The Kings’ possessed the puck for most of the last minute but couldn’t score. Free hockey.

Overtime

  • One minute in: Ducks with a great look as Cam Fowler fires the puck on Quick. Zegras whiffs on the rebound.
  • Under two left: Tkachev draws a boarding penalty from Max Jones.

Shootout

  • Vilardi scores
  • Zegras misses
  • Kempe misses
  • Shattenkirk scores
  • Kopitar misses
  • Comtois scores

The Kings’ regular season begins on Thursday, hosting the Vegas Golden Knights. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm PT.

WATCH: Vladimir Tkachev just sniped an insane powerplay goal

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