Ducks Lose 4-1 To The Kings

Photo: Anaheim Ducks

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off against the Los Angeles Kings for the first time this season. Just prior to the game, Max Jones(upper-body injury) was placed on the IR and Justin Kirkland was recalled from San Diego. Kirkland made his debut with Anaheim. Lukas Dostal started in net against Pheonix Copley.

Recap

The Kings got the opening power play of the game as Kevin Shattenkirk was called for cross checking. The Ducks killed off the penalty only allowing one shot on goal.

The Ducks then got a power play as Viktor Ardvisson got called for slashing. Anaheim created a few chances, but couldn’t convert with the extra man.

Anaheim got a power play early in the second period. The second unit created same chances, but the Ducks came up empty handed.

LA then got a power play chance and Drew Doughty scored on a rocket from the point. It appears the puck was deflected through traffic.

The Ducks then got into penalty trouble taking back-to-back penalties. Anaheim was able to kill off both penalties and still trailed by only one goal.

After a brief scrum, the Ducks got awarded a power play and they would tie the game up. Kevin Shattenkirk took a point shot and Frank Vatrano got to the rebound, which he scored low on Copley to tie the game.

The Kings would take the lead with about 20 seconds left in the period. Danault would get to the puck behind the Anaheim net and then find Alex Iafallo at the side of the net for an easy score. LA took a 2-1 lead to the locker room after two periods.

LA would make it a 3-1 lead early in the third period. Kaliyev would rush down the wing and find an open Viktor Arvidsson, who would take a backhand shot to score.

The Ducks got awarded a power play shortly after the LA goal, but couldn’t do anything with it.

Kings score once more to make it a 4-1 score. Kevin Fiala fought off two Ducks players and was able to flick the puck past Dostal for the score.

Anaheim got one more power play late in the third period, but again came up empty. The Ducks had a few scoring chances in the final minutes of the game, but couldn’t buy another goal. The Kings win this one by a 4-1 final.

Analysis:

The first period appeared to be a feeling out process with no scoring and pretty even play. In the second period, the Kings took control of the play. They had three power plays in a row due to some undiscpline plays by the Ducks. Anaheim was fortunate to only give up one power play goal thanks to the play of Dostal. The Kings did get a late goal to end the second period and then another goal early in the the third to put the game out of reach.

The Ducks had difficulty creating sustained pressure in this game. Anaheim had five power play chances, but could only score once. The Kings held a 41-25 shot on goal advantage and nearly won two-thirds of the face-offs. The puck possession numbers weren’t any better. The Ducks had a 41.3 CF% and 39.39 FF% during even strength. They will look to try to rebound quickly as they host Minnesota tomorrow.

Team Stats/News:

Urho Vaakanainen did not play as he was feeling sick.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Wild tomorrow at 7PM.

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December 20th, 2022