Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The second preseason game was tough loss for Anaheim Ducks, and it didn’t help they were against a freeway face-off rivalry, the Los Angeles Kings. The ending score was 6-0, which was ultimately an embarrassing start after their win against the Phoenix Coyotes. And with over 13,000 fans attending at the Honda Center in Anaheim, it couldn’t have been more disappointing, even if it was only a preseason game. What made them slack, and why were they not giving their all? Coach Bruce Boudreau was evidently irritated with their absence of game and being shoved around for three periods.
The key players in the lineup were Dustin Penner, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, all whom are veterans on ice and known as the “kid line” during the 2006-07 season when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup. Boudreau hinted that some of his guys weren’t playing as hard in training camp, and that they need to up their game. Maybe the “kid line” just needed some time to gain their chemistry back, especially after Penner was traded from the Kings to the Ducks this year.
Within the first two periods, only 23 shots were sent toward Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, contrary to the 36 shots made during the Coyotes game. It’s simple: the Ducks need to make more aggressive shots. The Ducks also have to stop with the penalties, because it seemed like a never-ending call on their end. The offense was careless and they lacked defense as well. It was surely an off game, but luckily they jumped back on the grind for their third preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche with a 2-1 win.
