Kings and Ducks Face Off in Final Rivalry Match of the Season

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Kings face off against the Anaheim Ducks in the final Freeway Faceoff of the season on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. As the regular season winds down, both teams have crucial goals: the Kings aim to secure home-ice advantage, while the Ducks hope to continue their recent improvements.

LA head coach Jim Hiller has emphasized two objectives for the Kings’ next five games: regain player health and solidify their position in the Pacific Division. Key players, including Alex Turcotte, Tanner Jeannot, Drew Doughty, and Joel Edmundson, are currently dealing with injuries, with the status of each remaining uncertain. Turcotte appears closest to a return, having practiced in a regular jersey.

If this were a playoff game, both Doughty and Edmundson would likely participate, given their history of playing through injuries. However, Jeannot’s situation is more precarious as he has been designated week-to-week, further impacting the lineup.

Tonight’s showdown is vital for LA, which leads the Edmonton Oilers by just two points in the race for home-ice advantage in the playoffs. A win would significantly bolster their chances of locking in the No. 2 seed in the division.

The Ducks, on the other hand, have shown marked improvement since their earlier matchups with the Kings, now on pace for a 20-point uptick this season. Despite the challenging road ahead, they are gaining traction and making a strong case for next year with a young roster that has performed admirably at the NHL level.

This season, the Kings and Ducks have clashed three times, with LA winning two of those encounters. Their previous encounters yielded close scores, including one game that ended 2-1 in Anaheim’s favor earlier in the season.

As both teams prepare for tonight, LA can only focus on their performance on the ice. Hiller has not revealed who will start in goal, and with three games in five nights, both Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich may see time between the pipes.

Key players like Anze Kopitar, who currently ranks first in all-time scoring against Anaheim, will be vital for the Kings tonight. Adrian Kempe, fresh off becoming a new father, may add motivation to his game, aiming to reach a scoring milestone by pulling within one goal of fourth place all-time against the Ducks.

A win tonight for the Kings would not only match their season point total from last year but would also be a testament to their successful campaign, seeking to secure 45 wins this season—a mark they have reached in only seven previous years.

Tonight’s puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time with live coverage available on ESPN+ and Hulu. In addition, Kings fans can tune into the radio feed on the ESPN LA app. Tonight will also feature the popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest, allowing attendees a chance to win signed merchandise.