The Anaheim Ducks headed north to take on the Los Angeles Kings for their last game before the NHL 4-Nations Face-Off.
Game #54: Ducks vs. Kings Gameday Preview
The Ducks dropped the first two meetings between the two teams this season at Honda Center on Oct. 20 by a score of 4-1 and on Nov. 29 by a score of 2-1.
The Ducks were looking to return to .500 for the first time since Dec. 1 and had won five of their last six games heading into Saturday.
The Kings were playing their second game of a back-to-back after defeating the Dallas Stars in a shootout on Friday and having won their last three games.
Radko Gudas missed two consecutive practices due to illness and was unable to dress for this game.
Drew Helleson took Gudas’ spot on the top pair next to Jackson LaCombe, while Olen Zellweger slotted in on the right side of Brian Dumoulin, and Pavel Mintyukov was paired with Jacob Trouba.
The forward lines remained the same from the Ducks’ 2-1 win over the Stars on Tuesday.
Lukas Dostal got the start in the Ducks’ crease and was sensational, stopping 43 of 44 shots.
Fellow countryman David Rittich opposed Dostal in the Kings’ net and stopped 25 of 26 shots.
Here are my notes from this game:
Cycle: In the first two periods, the Ducks possessed the puck for extended periods of time in the offensive zone. There was a more concerted effort to hold on to pucks, peel back, and attempt passes into and through the slot.
There was more player movement from the point, along the walls, and from activating defensemen in this game to try and break down the Kings’ man-on-man coverage system, an encouraging sign as it keeps the puck on the sticks of the Ducks’ exceptionally talented offensive players.
As the game wore on and the Kings controlled play more, the Ducks settled for perimeter shots that were often blocked or easily saved with minimal traffic.
Power Play: Rich Clune deployed a five-forward unit for the first time this season, utilizing Trevor Zegras at the point for the Ducks’ lone power play in this game.
The term “power play quarterback” is overused in hockey analysis when referring to the point defenseman at the top of the umbrella. However, with how Zegras manipulated the structure in front of him from that spot to create several scoring chances, that term can properly be applied to him.
Zegras worked the blueline from board to board in support of his flanks and had added options as he was able to survey the entire zone and deliver misinformation with the puck on his stick.
Leo Carlsson: Carlsson is showing an improved motor and ability to win wall battles of late, especially in the offensive zone, as displayed by Dumoulin’s goal in the third period. He was tripped after entry, but he remained with the puck and dished to the point under pressure.
He can be guilty of tunnel vision of late and would perhaps benefit from letting his instincts and creativity take the wheel from time to time. He attacks the middle of the ice at will and draws attention, but too often, he opts for disrupted shot attempts.
Penalty Kill: The Ducks have been exploited a handful of times this season with lateral passes through the crease from the goal line while down a man. Opposing power plays manipulate the outnumbered defender at the bottom of the diamond and create east/west passing lanes before the other three penalty killers can support.
In this game, the low defender stayed true to the passing option and let Dostal handle the puck carrier attempting to beat him from a sharp angle where he stood tall and eliminated any gaps in his body.
The Ducks will have a two-week break before heading to Boston to face the Bruins on Feb. 22. Leo Carlsson will represent Sweden at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, starting on Wednesday when Sweden will take on Canada.
