Anaheim Ducks Prepare To Battle Crosstown Rival
By Julius Choi
The Anaheim Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings tonight to continue the Freeway Series.
If there is one thing that’s certain, it will be a physical, exciting game.
It’s great that when these two teams meet, for the passion on the ice is matched by the fans in the stands and online.
The Los Angeles Kings are on the outside looking in for a play-off spot.
But if the past is any indicator, you know LA is a team built for long stretches of wins.
0. 105. Final. 0. 67
Anaheim Ducks (30-19-10, 70 points)
Mad Max:
If you haven’t already seen this, here is what happened on Friday in the Ontario Hockey League.
“This is not even the NHL, why show this?” Well, in case you haven’t noticed the spotlight in the video is one Max Jones.
He was ejected for cross checking on his 19th birthday. And this is not the first time he exhibited this kind of behavior.
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Ironically last time this happened, Jones was suspended 12 games after a head shot in Game 4 last season against the very same team.
The Owen Sound Attack did get the last laugh, handing London a 6-1 loss in the latest meeting.
The Anaheim Ducks 24th overall selection in 2016, Jones currently plays for the defending Memorial Cup Champion, London Knights.
He has 32 points in 29 games.
We all know the NHL cracks down on this kind of behavior and if the Anaheim Ducks have to constantly pay the league on behalf of his actions. We would be in trouble assuming he makes the NHL.
Reunited And It Feels So Good:
Randy Carlyle’s displeasure with the team play prompted him to switch in the lines eight days ago.
The moves included moving Silfverberg away from usual partners Ryan Kesler and Andrew Cogliano.
And for at least one game, the three played together against Florida. Which is nice to see, knowing that they have been the most effective forward group this season.
Los Angeles Kings (28-24-4, 60 points)
It Could Be Worse:
When Jonathan Quick got injured in the season opener and placed on IR, it was a major cause of concern.
They were without a person who was a large part of the reason why there are Stanley Cup banners in LA.
It was reported recently by LA Kings Insider, that Quick started skating but he will not be back until mid-March.
The injury took everyone aback, forcing the team to begrudging let Peter Budaj become the starter.
He spent the majority of the last two seasons in the AHL, splitting time with the Ice Caps and Reign.
Budaj has 26 wins, .916 save % and seven shutouts. Talk about the Jeremy Lin effect.
This working out has put the Kings in a good position in two ways: They do not have to rush Quick back on the ice.
Allowing a player to fully recover is important especially if you want to play for a while.
Second, they would have been relying on Jeff Zatkoff if Budaj failed. And I’m sure the fans do not want that. He sports an .879 save % and has allowed 3+ goals in six of his eight starts.
He’s The Man:
Jeff Carter is well worth trading away Jack Johnson and Marko Dano to Columbus in 2012.
With 29 in 56 already, he will reach the 30-goal plateau for the first time since 2011.
Carter is the current team goal lead by 11 and 19 points more than Kopitar for the points lead.
Next: Slashing Ref Earns Vermette Automatic 10-Game Ban
Nine of his markers have been game winners, which is the most by any player this season.