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Game Day Preview #20, Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks

Preview: Los Angeles Kings (9-9-1) @ Anaheim Ducks (9-6-3)

How to Watch and What to Watch For

The Kings find themselves on a roll at the moment, putting their four-game losing streak further in the rearview mirror with some solid team efforts against Edmonton and New Jersey. Both the Carter and Dowd lines are driving possession and helping carry the team. The Carter line in particular excelled against the Devils, with the trio topping the possession metrics for the Kings. Dowd, Setoguchi, and Brown weren’t far behind; Dustin Brown in particular looks like a rejuvenated player this season, creating chances and causing the kind of havoc the Kings want to see from him around the net.

The Ducks are always an irritating opponent and tonight they’ll be looking to extend their own two-game win streak, also notching wins over the Oilers and Devils. They’ll be hoping for a repeat performance of their 4-0 shutout of the Kings earlier this month, from that dark period known as “a time long ago when the Kings got shut out three times in a row,” let us never speak of it again. With all of their pending contract disputes now settled, the Kings will face off against a slightly different roster, this time including Hampus Lindholm on the blue line.

The last time these teams met, they combined for 92 penalty minutes. Nick Shore nearly fought Ryan Getzlaf. It’s the kind of ridiculousness fans have come to expect from these matchups. Let tonight’s be no less weird.

Projected Line Combinations:

Los Angeles Kings

Pearson – Carter – Toffoli
Brown – Dowd – Setoguchi
King – Lewis – Nolan
Clifford – Shore – Purcell

Forbort – Doughty
Muzzin – Martinez
Gravel – Gilbert

Budaj
(Campbell)

Anaheim Ducks

Ritchie – Getzlaf – Perry
Cogliano – Kesler – Silfverberg
Kase – Vermette – Rakell
Garbutt – Wagner – Boll

Fowler – Manson
Stoner – Vatanen
Lindholm – Bieksa

Gibson
(Bernier)

Opposing Preview: Anaheim Calling

Talking Points