May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) is hit by Anaheim Ducks right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (77) during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks Tonight, September 25th. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. PST at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
It’s the second preseason game for the Kings. It’s the first time the two teams will meet since the Kings ended the Ducks hopes of a Stanley Cup last season.
The situation will be a little more relaxed, as the rosters and lineups will be different from the lineups in early May. There is a pervading animosity in this rivalry of Southern California, and it’s the Western Conference, so it’s sure to be a physical game.
Jon Rosen of the L.A. Kings Insider reports the following lines and likely to play together tonight. This is based on the Kings morning Skate earlier today for players that would be in tonight’s lineup. The Kings will have to scratch three players listed here, as they can only dress 20. Rosen expects Dowd, MacDermid and Miller to be the healthy scratches.
Forwards:
Tanner Pearson – Andy Andreoff – Tyler Toffoli
Jordan Nolan – Nick Shore – Dwight King
Kyle Clifford – Jordan Weal – Adam Cracknell
Scott Sabourin – Ryan Horvat – David Van der Gulik
Nic Dowd
Puck Prose
Defensemen:
Jeff Schultz – Alec Martinez
Derek Forbort – Kevin Raine
Brayden McNabb – Nick Ebert
Kurtis MacDermid – Colin Miller
Goalies:
Martin Jones
Jean-Francois Berube
Jones is likely to get the start for the Kings, but expect the goalies to split time and switch-out halfway through the game.
Tonight’s game will be the first FOX Sports West broadcast game of the year.
Nine out of sixteen Western Conference teams will be in action tonight. Around the NHL, other games tonight include: New Jersey at Philadelphia, Minnesota at Pittsburgh, Chicago at Detroit, Colorado at Montreal, Tampa Bay at Nashville, Columbus at St. Louis, and Vancouver at Calgary.
NHL Network will also air the All-American Prospects game tonight. The game will take place in Buffalo, NY; puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. The game is a showcase for the future stars of the NHL. Two big names that have already garnered a lot of attention of notoriety are forward Jack Eichel and defensemen Noel Hanifan. Both are expected to be top 5 picks in this year’s upcoming NHL Entry Draft. A draft which is said to be one of the most talented in years.
Apr 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston College Eagles defenseman Steve Santini (6) celebrates his goal with his teammates against the Union Dutchmen during the second period in the semifinals of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Eichel will play this upcoming season for Boston University. Hanifin will play for Boston College. The two prospects will get to know each other very well throughout their college careers; the two schools have a rivalry similar to the Kings and Ducks – the play often and with a great deal of dislike for one another.
Tonight will be the beginning of a talented and entertaining matchup between the two, as they are on opposite teams for the prospect game. Prior to tonight, the two young stars were teammates on the United States 18-and-Under Development team.