The Ducks enter tonight's matchup with seven wins in their past 11 games (7-4-0). They are also continuing a stretch that sees them playing six games over an 11-day span from March 20-30. This is the 11th set of back-to-backs of the season, which has seen the Ducks go 9-12-0, including a 4-6-0 mark in the second game. Tonight's game is also the opener of a four-game road trip, which continues Tuesday in Vancouver, Friday in Calgary and next Saturday in Edmonton.
This is the third installment of the 2018-19 Freeway Faceoff, and the second meeting in LA. Thus far, the Kings have taken the first two games (4-1 W on Nov. 6 at Staples Center and a 3-2 W on March 10 at Honda Center). Despite the two losses, the Ducks come in with a 17-6-4 record in the last 27 regular-season games vs. LA. All-time, the Ducks are 66-47-26 vs. the Kings, including a 28-30-10 mark on the road. More recently, the Ducks have earned points in six of the last eight vs. the Kings (4-2-2). Ryan Getzlaf ranks third among active NHL skaters in career scoring against the Kings with 56 points (19g/37a) in 70 games. The 2018-19 Freeway Faceoff will conclude in the regular season finale for both teams on Friday, April 5 at Honda Center.
LA enters tonight's game sitting in last place in the Western Conference (and 30th of 31 teams) with a 26-39-8 record (60 points). Though they've won just three times over their past 19 games (3-12-4), the Kings pulled off a stunning 4-2 comeback victory over the Sharks on Thursday night in a game they trailed going into the third period. Matt Roy scored his first career NHL goal in the game, while Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist to snap the club's five-game losing streak at home. Dustin Brown pushed his goal streak to three consecutive games, while Jonathan Quick made 23 saves.
