Game #5: Ducks vs. Kings Gameday Preview

The Hockey News' Derek Lee previews the Ducks' matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.

After a quick one-game road trip to Colorado, the Ducks have returned home for the first Freeway Faceoff of the 2024-25 regular season. The Ducks and Kings faced off twice during preseason, with the Kings taking both games.

The Ducks come into this game with a 2-1-1 record after losing in overtime 4-3 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Kings have a 2-1-2 record after a 4-1 win over the Montréal Canadiens on Oct. 17.

"We've just got to turn the page on this one as quick as we can get ready for a fun game at home (against the Kings)," Ryan Strome said after Saturday's loss. The Ducks were thoroughly outplayed and scraped a point out of the game thanks to a 45-save performance from goaltender Lukáš Dostál.

"Dostál was great, he deserves a huge pat on the back," Strome said. "We got a point and the rest of (the performance) we pretty much have to change next game."

With a 5:00 p.m. puck drop time tonight, the Ducks did not have a morning skate. Given the heavy workload that Dostál faced against the Avalanche, James Reimer may draw his second start.

Frank Vatrano is expected to return to the lineup after missing Saturday's game due to the birth of his second child. In a corresponding move, Jansen Harkins was reassigned to AHL San Diego.

Isac Lundeström is currently dealing with an upper-body injury he suffered during the home opener. If he can't go, head coach Greg Cronin could shift Brett Leason to center––where he played a little bit during preseason––or he could hand Jackson LaCombe his season debut and roll 11 forwards and seven defensemen. LaCombe missed the first three games with an illness and was a healthy scratch on Saturday.

After facing 49 shots (at altitude) on Friday and with an optional practice yesterday and no morning skate today, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Dostál given a breather and James

Fast Facts:
-Ryan Strome has 12 points in 21 career games against the Kings.
-Troy Terry is two goals away from 100 NHL goals.
-The Ducks were 1-2-1 against the Kings last season, their sole victory coming on April 9 at Honda Center (3-1).

Ducks Projected Lines

Cutter Gauthier - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Robby Fabbri - Mason McTavish - Trevor Zegras
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Ross Johnston - Brett Leason - Brock McGinn

Cam Fowler - Tristan Luneau
Olen Zellweger - Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov - Brian Dumoulin

James Reimer (projected)

Kings Projected Lines

Quinton Byfield - Anže Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala - Phillip Danault - Trevor Moore
Warren Foegele - Alex Turcotte - Alex Laferriere
Andre Lee - Akil Thomas - Tanner Jeannot

Mikey Anderson - Vladislav Gavrikov
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence

David Rittich (projected)