3 overreactions after LA Kings preseason win vs. Anaheim

For the second time in as many years since the last preseason last fall, the Los Angeles Kings and head coach Jim Hiller defeated the Anaheim Ducks in the Empire Classic in regulation. The Kings got a comeback 3-1 win in the third period over the Ducks to start the preseason on the right foot this fall over the weekend.

Carter George and the Los Angeles Kings come back to defeat the Ducks in the preseason opener in the Empire Classic on Sunday in the Inland Empire

Kings' top goalie prospect Carter George put on a show in the net for the Kings yesterday afternoon, stopping 26 of 27 shots from the Ducks and allowing zero goals scored on the penalty kill for LA for the special teams. Outside of a shot that deflected off a couple of players in the first period early in the game, George played an almost spotless start for the Kings yesterday against the Ducks in net.

LA had the special teams penalty kill edge yesterday against the Ducks, scoring the game-winning goal on a nice shorthanded tally in the Anaheim zone by Alex Laferriere. Andre Lee sealed the game for the Kings with a two goal lead for an empty-net goal late in the third period yesterday.

Here are three overreactions after the Kings' 3-1 clutch win over the Ducks in the Empire Classic on Sep. 21.

Carter George is the Kings' goalie of the future in net

George was extremely impressive for the Kings in net over the weekend in the two-goal win over the Ducks yesterday for LA and Hiller. He stopped the game's final two dozen shots on goal, locking down on the Ducks' offense to help the Kings come away with the win in the Empire Classic last weekend.

He came up with multiple highlight-reel saves for the Kings in his first career start in LA for the preseason opener yesterday afternoon, including a great right-pad flashing save on a 2-on-0 vs. the Ducks on the break.

Brandt Clarke leads the Kings' blue line in goals and points scored this upcoming season

The Kings quickly responded to the game's first goal from early in the first period to Anaheim with a goal of its own, set up by young defenseman Brandt Clarke on the break with Turcotte in the Ducks' zone. Clarke brought the puck into the zone and gave Turcotte an easy put away near the crease to help the Kings tie the game up on the scoreboard early in the first period yesterday.

"He made a great play, he danced up at the top of the slot and I just kind of followed him to the net, just hoping he’d see me and he made a nice little pass off the pad. "

Alex Turcotte on Brandt Clarke

Clarke has continued to put offensive production pressure on the Ducks since this past season for the Kings defensive core. Including the preseason opener yesterday in the two-goal win over the Ducks, Clarke has registered over a dozen shots on goal, two points, and a +4 plus/minus against Anaheim for the Kings.

Akil Thomas will make the opening night roster for the Kings' forward group in the bottom six forward lines

Multiple key Kings' centers and versatile, young wingers are fighting for roster spots on the projected opening-night roster for Hiller and LA's staff going into this coming season in the West. Centers Samuel Helenius and Akil Thomas both impressed Hiller and the Kings' coaching staff with solid two-way performances for LA's top nine forward group yesterday vs. the Ducks.

Hiller said after the game yesterday in the two-goal win over the Ducks that Thomas was one of the "standouts" for the Kings yesterday afternoon against Anaheim.

"I thought Killer maybe played one of the best games I've seen him play. I was really happy for him, what a game."

Jim Hiller on Akil Thomas