After the Los Angeles Kings (3-0-0) beat the Vegas Golden Knights by multiple goals in the preseason this fall earlier this week on Tuesday night, head coach Jim Hiller's squad came back and shut out the Pacific Division foe, the Anaheim Ducks (1-2-0) on the road on Wednesday night (Sep. 24).
Jeff Malott and Darcy Kuemper for the Los Angeles Kings speak on the team's 3-0 preseason win on the road vs. the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night
Hiller and the Kings' staff moved both top-six forward lines into the lineup active for the 3-0 win over the Ducks on the road, including a goal from winger Kevin Fiala last night against Anaheim.
Jeff Malott led the way for the Kings on the forward lines with multiple points and one goal. He's scored either the game-winning goal or the insurance goal for the Kings in back-to-back games early this week, including the team's second goal in the 3-1 win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Here's a look at what Kings' players had to say following the comfortable 3-0 shutout win over the Ducks on the road at the Honda Center in the preseason on Wednesday night (Sep. 24).
Jeff Malott
Malott on playing all three preseason games for the Kings to start this fall
"Just a great opportunity. I mean, getting sometimes you're only in for one or two throughout the whole stretch. So to have three right out of the gate, you know, helps you hit your stride."
Malott on playing back-to-back preseason games for the Kings early this week
"I'm used to it. Sammy's pretty pretty used to it. It's easy to be motivated and use it as an opportunity."
Malott on getting called up with the Kings down the stretch this past regular season
"Yeah, definitely, you know, it helps you hit the ground running coming into camp. I mean, same job as every other year. You've got to try and earn a spot, but coming back and having some familiar faces helps."
Malott on playing with different lines in training camp for the Kings this fall
"It's training camp, like you're going to be on a different line most days and playing with different guys, but yeah, coming in last year, we had a lot of different combinations down the stretch, so it helps out."
Malott on the pass to Martin Chromiak vs. the Ducks on the game's first goal
"Yeah. Chromy's fast like he flies. So, anytime you know, you can catch him with a lot of steam there. You try your best to get him the puck.
Malott on battling for a roster spot in training camp and the preseason for the Kings
"When you're getting a call each game like this, and we'll see how the rest of camp goes like this. But with each one that your number is called, do the thoughts of, you know, hey, I'm getting a real serious, serious look here go through your head. That's all you ask for. That's all you ask for is an opportunity. "
Malott on playing with the Kings' veterans on the forward lines vs. the Ducks
"Great. I mean it's training camp. You're just kind of focused on playing hard and doing the things they want to they want to see out of you.
Malott on what he would do differently or improve this fall in training camp and the preseason
"Yeah, I think one of the big focuses, you know, for the guys fighting for that fourth line role was physicality, being hard to play against. Hopefully we're seeing a bit of it here, where, you know, we're just sustaining some of that ozone and working together as a line, making it hard for their DM man. But that's definitely the majority of the points we want to hit."
Malott on how he's improved during the offseason
"Yeah, just put on size, try and get a little bigger, try and get a little stronger, be a little harder to handle down there. And again, just make it hard on those guys."
Darcy Kuemper
Kuemper on playing the entire game vs. the Ducks in his first preseason start this fall
"I think it’s just figuring out how to get everyone as much action as possible with limited games, so a little bit easier just to go right into full games, and that’s what we did this year.
Kuemper on getting his first preseason start for the Kings
"I think it’s always nice to get the feel back of playing and get some tape on your game to kind of go over. I find you always feel better in practice after that first game, and you kind of build off that. Nice to play the first one and nice to get a win."
Kuemper on starting multiple preseason games
"I would be happy to start right now. Just coming to work every day and make sure you have a good focus, whether it’s a practice day or a game day, and put yourself in a good spot to hit the ground running when the season starts."
Kuemper on the defense in front of him last night
"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."