Kings Down Ducks Again – Carter’s Hat-Trick Leads the Way
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 Sunday night, in the second preseason meeting of the two teams. The first meeting took place on Thursday, September 25th and the Kings won 4-3 in a shootout.
Not even three minutes into the first period the King opened the scoring. Defensemen Robyn Regehr fired a shot from the point, after receiving a pass from forward Nic Dowd. Regehr’s shot deflected off the leg of Ducks defensemen Francois Beauchemin in front of the net and past Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen. 1-0 Kings.
A minute past the half-way mark of the first period the Ducks were putting pressure on in the Kings zone. Ducks forward William Karlsson fired a shot that rang off the post. The puck came to Kings forward Tyler Toffoli who quickly moved the puck up-ice to a breaking Jeff Carter. Carter came streaking in on the right side of the Ducks zone and fired a shot off the post and into the Ducks net. 2-0 Kings.
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Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70) attempts a shot defended by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (23) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Ten seconds later, off a face-off win and a quick zone set-up, Ducks defensemen Sami Vatanen snapped a shot through traffic and beat Kings goaltender Martin Jones. 2-1 Kings.
Early in the second period the Kings had to kill off a 5 on 3 man powerplay. Andy Andreoff took a two-minute penalty for hooking, and then Carter was called with a double-two-minute minor for high sticking. The Kings killed off the penalties, preventing Anaheim to tie the game or gain any momentum on the powerplay. Anaheim struggled to get any sustained pressure during the 5 on 4 powerplay.
With little less than three minutes left in the second period, Karlsson fired a shot in the Kigns zone. Jones made the initial save but the rebound fell to Ducks forward Emerson Etem. Etem’s first attempt hit the post, but he scored on the second attempt to tie the game for the Ducks, 2-2.
The tie was short-lived. In the Ducks zone Kings forward Tanner Pearson worked the puck back to the point to defensemen Slava Voynov. Carter was in front of the Ducks net, in position to deflect Voynov’s shot. Carter’s attempt missed; Voynov’s point shot went on net and Andersen made the save. The initial save took Andersen out of position and left the net wide open for Carter to backhand the rebound in. 3-2 Kings.
Four minutes into the third period the Kings were working the puck down low around the net. A failed scoring attempt down low by Tyler Toffoli caused a scramble and Carter was able to roof the loose puck into the Ducks net for his third goal of the night; completing the Hat-trick. 4-2 Kings.
Halfway through the third Andreoff took a two-minute penalty for tripping. On the ensuing penalty-kill Kings defensemen Brayden McNabb flipped the puck over the glass while in the Kings zone; resulting in a two-minute penalty for delay of game. The Kings were able to kill off both penalties. For the rest of the period the Kings defense continues to stifle and frustrate the Ducks.
Ducks forward Ryan Kesler took a two-minute penalty for interference with two minutes left in the game. The Ducks continued to push. Corey Perry hit the post on a slapshot with one minute left; it was the last good chance the Ducks had. 4-2 Kings win!
It was a good win for the Kings, with half of their veteran forwards in the lineup, playing against the Ducks top two lines. That 70’s line – the Kings Carter, Pearson, Toffoli – were dominant as usual, resulting in a Carter hat-trick, that ultimately determined the outcome of the game.
Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) moves the puck defended by Los Angeles Kings defender Brayden McNabb (43) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Brayden McNabb stood out, having a good game. McNabb was cross-checked in the face by Ducks superstar Corey Perry in the first period. McNabb did not retaliate but played at the point on the ensuing powerplay. McNabb also broke up a few of the Ducks plays while the Kings were in a vulnerable positions. Of note was a breakout play at the beginning of the third period. Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction for McNabb, in terms of making the regular roster. Behind defensive teammates Regehr and Slava Voynov, McNabb was third on the Kings in ice time with 20:46.
Martin Jones got his second consecutive full start in goal for the Kings, and his second consecutive win. Jones stopped 33 of 35 shots for a .943 save percentage. Jones continues to turn in impressive performances with save percentages above the mark that separates good from great goaltenders, .920 save percentage.
Jones will be the regular backup goaltender for the Kings this season. While star-starter Jonathan Quick continues the recover and rehab coming off of wrist-surgery the Kings have no concerns in goal with Jones, who should play around 20 regular season games for the Kings this year.