3 takeaways from the LA Kings shutout preseason win vs. the Ducks

The Los Angeles Kings (3-0-0) and head coach Jim Hiller defeated a Pacific Division rival team on the road in the preseason this fall for the second time in as many nights early this week. LA defeated two Pacific Division opponent teams from the West this past weekend and earlier this week, defeating the Anaheim Ducks (1-2-0) and Vegas Golden Knights by multi-goal scores on the scoreboard.

Jeff Malott shines with multiple points in the Los Angeles Kings' shutout win vs. Anaheim in the preseason

The Kings defeated the Ducks in the second of four matchups this fall in the preseason on Wednesday night by a score of 3-0. LA controlled the pace of play from nearly all 60 minutes played in this game last night.

Kings and Ducks fans got to see for the first time this fall in the preseason what the top six forward lines and the defensive core group on the blue line could look like this upcoming season in the Pacific Division.

LA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after a nice goal from forward Martin Chromiak beat Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal to break the tie on the scoreboard in the first period for the Kings.

The biggest source of offensive production for Hiller and the Kings last night was forward Jeff Malott. The Kings ran the offense through Malott for the second and third periods last night. Malott generated multiple scoring chances and found Chromiak with a nice pass on the eventual game-winning goal for LA and Hiller.

Kevin Fiala netted the insurance goal that sealed the win for the Kings, scoring on a nice pass from winger Alex Laferriere in the game's final 10 minutes late in the third period.

Darcy Kuemper was perfect in net for the Kings in his first start in goal this preseason for LA.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings' three-goal win over the Ducks on Sep. 24.

Quiet game for Darcy Kuemper with the Kings' defense

The Kings' starting goalie and Vezina Trophy finalist in goal from this past season looked comfortable and steady in net for LA, stopping multiple medium and high-danger scoring attempts en route to his first shutout this preseason.

Kuemper credited the play of the Kings' defense in front of him for allowing barely over a dozen shots and single-digit high-quality scoring chances for the Ducks.

"They were awesome. We didn’t give up a whole lot all night, a lot of that’s our d-men and then also the forwards for tracking back and taking away any time on the rush. I think just as a unit, we were great defensively, which we always are, but it’s nice to see it so early in the season."

Darcy Kuemper

Jeff Malott stays hot

For the second time in as many nights, you could argue that Malott was the MVP of the game for the Kings offensively. Malott scored the game-winning goal for the Kings in a multi-goal win in the preseason road opener two nights ago against the Golden Knights.

Had it not been for Malott creating offense in the Ducks zone entering from the blue line, the Kings might not have broke the scoreless tie on the scoreboard in this game until early in the third period.

I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to say that Malott could challenge for the fourth-line spot on the Kings' projected roster this upcoming season. The Kings need to fill a fourth-line forward spot on the projected opening-night roster for this season due to a knee injury Corey Perry suffered earlier this fall in an on-ice team skate.

Hiller was impressed by Malott's offensive production and his performance in training camp and on-ice practice for the Kings this fall. He said that Malott looks like an "NHL player" for the Kings this fall in training camp and the preseason.

"I think he put on – I talked to him a little bit about it – he’s really a fit guy, but he put on about seven or eight pounds of muscle. I think I’m noticing some of that. I think he’s a strong guy to begin with, I think he’s a little stronger out there, a lot of confidence, and yeah, playing really well. Looks like an NHL player."

Jim Hiller on Jeff Malott

Drew Doughty and Brandt Clarke stand out for the Kings' defensive core on the blue line

The Kings' coaching staff played a full projected top-four defensive core group on the blue line this fall for the first time in the preseason vs. the Ducks last night. Drew Doughty looked locked in and confident for the Kings' blue line last night, playing over 15 minutes on the ice with the first defensive pairing unit.

"I would say more like his old self. Yeah, I think it’s a notable, noticeable difference. I think you guys watch a lot of us too and I’ve said this many times, you know what he went through to even play last year. Now, he’s had a great summer, I think he’s feeling good about the shape he’s in. He’s feeling good about where his foot’s at."

Jim Hiller on Drew Doughty

Doughty and Brandt Clarke were steady and consistent for the Kings' blue line last night, allowing just a half-dozen shots on goal and fewer than five scoring chances in the game's final two periods and in clutch time. Clarke has a positive plus/minus rating and two high-danger scoring chances created in the past two games in the preseason for the Kings' blue line group.