The Hockey News’ Derek Lee reports from the Ducks’ morning skate.
IRVINE, Calif. - The Ducks take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight at Honda Center in a rematch of Sept. 28’s matchup. The Kings were victorious in the reverse fixture by a score of 3-2.
Tonight's lineup for Anaheim will look vastly different. Trevor Zegras will slide into the middle after being on the wing in his first preseason game and Brett Leason will flank him on the right after lining up at center last game against the Kings.
"We're still in training camp, so we're still trying to decide who's best suited in which position," head coach Greg Cronin said. "Obviously, (Zegras) has played center. He's probably more comfortable in the middle, so we'll put him there and swing Leason over to the right side."
Defenseman Drew Helleson will play in his third consecutive preseason game. He registered a primary assist on Frank Vatrano's goal against the Kings.
"He's a big guy," Cronin said. "He's been around for a few years, it's time for him to make that step. I think he's put in the work. He's put on the weight he needs to put on to be a stiffer defender. It's another opportunity for the organization to take a look at him."
Tonight marks Brian Dumoulin's Ducks debut. Although unofficial, it will be the first opportunity for fans to see Dumoulin in the Ducks colors in a game. The defensive-minded blueliner will be paired with the more offensively inclined Tristan Luneau. On paper, they appear to be a complementary fit.
"Brian has been around a long time," Cronin said. "He's very efficient with his defending. Tristan, he's an offensive guy that thinks offense first and I think having somebody with that stable, defensive mindset (next to him) will help Tristan."
Ducks Projected Lines
Frank Vatrano - Trevor Zegras - Brett Leason
Brock McGinn - Isac Lundeström - Ryan Strome
Nikita Nesterenko - Jansen Harkins - Sam Colangelo
Yegor Sidorov - Jan Myšák - Carson Meyer
Brian Dumoulin - Tristan Luneau
Olen Zellweger - Drew Helleson
Urho Vaakanainen - Mark Pysyk
Calle Clang - Oscar Dansk
Kings Projected Lines
Tanner Jeannot - Phillip Danault - Trevor Moore
Kevin Fiala - Quinton Byfield - Warren Foegele
Akil Thomas - Alex Turcotte - Samuel Fagemo
Andre Lee - Samuel Helenius - John Parker-Jones
Mikey Anderson - Jacob Moverare
Vladislav Gavrikov - Andreas Englund
Joel Edmundson - Jordan Spence
Darcy Kuemper - David Rittich