The Hockey News’ Derek Lee previews the Ducks’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings.
IRVINE, Calif. - The Ducks take on the Kings today in Ontario, Calif. for their third preseason game.
Because of the 3 p.m. start, there was no morning skate, but a slightly different group from the ones that played on Sept. 24 and Sept. 26 is expected to play.
“We’ve got a year under our belt,” head coach Greg Cronin said. “I think I know the players pretty well, I think they know me. The process started when we started training camp. It’s a little bit diluted with the number of players here. But the players that have been here, I think they understand what the value system is going to be.”
The line of Robby Fabbri, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano is expected to make their preseason debut. Fabbri was acquired this past summer from the Detroit Red Wings.
“Both hardworking guys,” Fabbri said of Strome and Vatrano. “They’ve been around enough to know what it takes in this league each and every night. I think our relationship off the ice these last few weeks is going to translate to on the ice.”
After playing in half of Anaheim’s most recent preseason game, goaltender Calle Clang is expected to be in action again. He stopped four of six shots in 32 minutes.
“He was fantastic,” Cronin said. “Someone asked a question about how it feels when the goalie comes in halfway through the game, it’s brutal. At least the relief pitcher in baseball is chucking the ball around for 10 minutes (before he comes in). (Clang) was coming off a cold bench with a rubber puck coming at him.
“He was good. I thought he did a really good job and handled the puck well on breakouts. I thought he was poised. I’m looking forward to seeing him (again).”
Ducks Projected Lines
Robby Fabbri - Ryan Strome - Frank Vatrano
Boris Katchouk - Jansen Harkins - Carson Meyer
Brock McGinn - Brett Leason - Nikita Nesterenko
Ross Johnston - Isac Lundeström - Yegor Sidorov
Cam Fowler - Olen Zellweger
Tyson Hinds - Noah Warren
Urho Vaakanainen - Gustav Lindström
Calle Clang - Vyacheslav Buteyets
Kings Projected Lines
Alex Laferriere - Anže Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Akil Thomas - Samuel Helenius - Trevor Lewis
Jeff Mallott - Francesco Pinelli - Samuel Fagemo
Martin Chromiak - Jack Studnicka - Jacob Doty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Jakub Dvorak - Jordan Spence
Andreas Englund - Caleb Jones
David Rittich - Erik Portillo