The Anaheim Ducks traveled to Ontario, California on Saturday to take on the Los Angeles Kings for their third preseason game of the 2024-25 season.
Quack of Dawn: Duck Morning Report – 9/28
The Ducks fielded a roster with fewer high-level NHL regulars than in Thursday’s game against the Sharks.
Lukas Dostal received the start in net for the Ducks and was scheduled to play the entire game for the first time this preseason. He stopped 30 of 33 shots and allowed a goal in each 5v5, 4v3 and shorthanded 4v5. Dostal made the saves he was supposed to make and gave the Ducks a chance to win this game.
“They were playing a simple game,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said of the Kings’ performance in that game. “They were going deep, getting them, throwing pucks on net, and they controlled the game because of that.”
There are only a limited number of conclusions that can be drawn from preseason hockey with the mix of NHL regulars and those fighting for jobs, but here are my notes on this game:
Fail forward: A big adjustment to the forecheck system this season for the Ducks is activating defenders earlier and pinching further along the wall in the offensive zone against breakouts. When this works, zone time is significantly extended, and when turnovers are caused, lanes open to feed the covering F3, reactivating offensively.
Sam Colangelo: After a neutral performance on Thursday, Colangelo was more engaged from the jump in this match. He was disruptive on the forecheck, made smart passes to his teammates on breakouts and was often the first player to lose pucks deep in the offensive zone.
“(Cronin) preached to just put the puck on net,” Colangelo said after the game. “I’m two feet from the goalie and I’m confident in my shot, so I’m just trying to put it on goal. … it feels good to have one in the back of the net.
Power play: It becomes clear that the power play is designed to cross the left flank and the bumper, with the player in front of the net moving towards the goal line to open new lanes. The bumper and left flank are active throughout the area and are constantly searching for soft ice. Once the chemistry is developed, this system could prove powerful.
Drew Helleson: Consistency must become Helleson’s hallmark of hockey if he wants to become a full-time NHL defenseman in the near future. He was as solid as possible Thursday, but made two reading errors with breakout passes. His puck management greatly improved during this outing, and he was rewarded with an assist on the Ducks’ second goal.
Ryan Strom: After playing so much on the wing a year ago, Strome may have felt some rustiness in his return to center in this game. He sometimes stayed a little too high in the defensive zone, which contributed to the Kings’ game-winning goal. He made good decisions with the puck, but his traditional responsibilities at center could use some fine-tuning.
The Ducks’ next preseason game is at the Honda Center on Monday, September 30 at 7 p.m. PST against the Kings.
