Game 15: Freeway Face-Off Round 1

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(6-6-2) return home to face their cross-town rivals the Los Angeles Kings(10-2-2). The game starts at 7:00 PM PT and will be on NBC SN locally and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks have been on a losing streak having lost their last three games. They are going to need to regroup quickly as they face the division leading Kings, who have been off to a great start this season. The Ducks announced that Ryan Getzlaf had surgery on his cheek bone and could miss two months. A win would give the Ducks some momentum as they play their next seven out of eight games at home.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks need to work on limiting the Kings shots on net. The Ducks currently give up 34.7 shots on net per game, which is the third highest in the league. Anaheim can’t keep relying on John Gibson and Ryan Miller to constantly save close to 40 shots night in and night out. The Ducks also need to stay out of the penalty box. They have been penalized 60 times this season already, which is the third highest only second to Nashville(69) and Pittsburgh(64).

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Ondrej Kase – Rickard Rakell – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Derek Grant – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Chris Wagner
Logan Shaw – Dennis Rasmussen – Jared Boll

Defense
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Francois Beauchemin– Brandon Montour
Sami Vatanen – Kevin Bieksa

In Net
John Gibson, 5-5-1, GAA 2.94, SV% .915 (Probable)

Los Angeles Outlook:

The Kings are off to a solid start at 10-2-2. Anze Kopitar and Tyler Toffoli lead the team with seven goals each. Adrian Kempe and a re-energized Dustin Brown both have six goals each. The Kings are without Jeff Carter, who has a damaged left ankle tendon. He is supposed to be out at least 6-8 weeks.

Keys To The Game

The Kings average 3.36 goals per game and 33.9 shots on net. Los Angeles will look to stay on the forecheck and pepper the Ducks net. If the Kings can score three or more goals then they have a good chance of winning as the Ducks only average 2.79 goals per game. The Kings also have the best penalty kill 91.8%, which they will look to maintain against the Ducks second worst power play.

Los Angeles’  Projected Lineup:

Offense
Alex Iafallo – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson – Adrian Kempe – Tyler Toffoli
Mike Cammalleri – Nick Shore – Trevor Lewis
Michael Amadio – Brooks Laich – Andy Andreoff

Defense
Derek Forbort – Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin – Alec Martinez
Kurtis MacDermid – Oscar Fantenberg

In Net
Jonathan Quick 8-2-1, GAA 1.99, SV% .939 (Probable)

Check out our latest podcast for more on your Anaheim Ducks!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

November 7th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, los angeles kings, the puck network