3 takeaways from the LA Kings preseason comeback loss to the Ducks

The Los Angeles Kings battled the Pacific Division foe Anaheim Ducks in a game that went back and forth on the scoreboard in the second and third periods this evening at Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield, CA, in the third of four matchups between these two teams in the preseason this fall.

Head coach Jim Hiller and the Kings also faced the Ducks three times this week since this past Sunday.

Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Kings fall to the Ducks by two goals in the preseason on Saturday

It was the Kings that got the first salvo in this game, breaking the tie on the scoreboard with a goal from defenseman Cody Ceci early in the first period in the game's first 10 minutes. That was Ceci's first goal in a Kings' uniform in the preseason this fall.

After Pavel Mintyukov evened up the game for the Ducks in the middle of the first period on the scoreboard, the Kings retook the lead on a nice goal from forward Taylor Ward.

About halfway in the second period, Nathan Gaucher tied the game up for a second time for the Ducks. The game remained knotted at two goals a side until Trevor Moore put the Kings back ahead early in the third period.

But a late collapse from the Kings resulted in the team's first loss of the preseason this fall. The Ducks scored three goals in a span of seven minutes late in the third period to put the first dent in the Kings' preseason record this week.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings' two-goal loss to the Ducks in Bakersfield on Sep. 27.

Taylor Ward sparks the Kings' offense in the first period

This is not the only time Ward has gotten the Kings on the scoreboard in the first period, either. He scored the game's first goal for the Kings in the preseason road opener win this past Tuesday night (Sep. 23) against the Vegas Golden Knights. He was responsible for giving the Kings back the lead after Mintyukov's goal for the Ducks about halfway through the first period of the game this afternoon.

Ward has looked impressive for the Kings this fall in training camp and the preseason. Moore, Ward, and Jeff Malott are the only three Kings' players with multiple goals this preseason in the past week.

Liam Greentree proves himself in the fight for a roster spot on the opening-night roster

Top forward prospect for the Kings, Liam Greentree, showed his two-way proficiency and ability to command the puck on his stick in this game against the Ducks this afternoon in Bakersfield.

Greentree registered his third assist of the preseason this fall in the first period on the goal scored by Ward for the Kings. He was calm and composed with his vision with the puck on his stick, finding Ward for the goal to take the lead for the Kings later in the first period.

Kings fall flat late in the third period

Hiller and the Kings looked like they controlled the pace of play on the ice for the game's first two and a half periods against the Ducks this afternoon. The Ducks got a couple of goals from the special teams in the first and second periods. But the Kings responded with an early third-period goal from Moore to take the lead back on the scoreboard.

Anaheim scored two goals in the third period's final seven minutes to take the lead late in the game. And then, the Ducks iced the win with an empty-netter in the game's final 20 seconds from Nico Myatovic.