End of first period

Ducks 2, Kings 0

Are these the same teams from yesterday? The Ducks are playing like a team that’s desperate to avoid getting on a transcontinental flight with two losses, and the Kings look like they would rather be somewhere else.

The Ducks are skating strong and smart and the Kings couldn’t generate anything in the offensive zone. They finally showed some interest in getting to the net in the final four minutes, but by that point they trailed 2-0. The Ducks’ goalie, Jonas Hiller, is making his NHL debut, yet the Kings were able to do very little to make him uncomfortable.

The bad penalties didn’t hurt the Kings yesterday, but they did in the first period today because the Ducks have some jump and they’re active around the net. Both goals came from close range. LaBarbera overplayed the puck on the first goal and the second-goal was just a scrum in front and the Kings couldn’t clear the zone.

Lots of positives if you’re the Ducks, almost none if you’re the Kings. The 2006-07 penalty kill returned in that period.

The Ducks outshot the Kings 9-6. Chris Kunitz had three shots. The Ducks were credited with 16 hits to the Kings’ seven, and that should tell you a lot…

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