Anaheim's second straight 4-1 defeat to the Kings in LA on Monday night was in reality a tight 2-1 affair until LA scored a pair of empty netters in the game's final minute to slam the door. Either way, it was a fifth straight loss for the Ducks, who look to turn it around as they play the second part of a four-games-in-six-days stretch against their biggest rivals.
This one is again at Staples Center, then the Ducks close out their home schedule (again in front of a limited capacity of fans) on Friday and Saturday vs. LA at Honda Center. The Kings have won the last two in the series so far, with the Ducks earning victories March 8 (6-5 in overtime) and February 2 (3-1).
Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf returned to the lineup Monday night and played right wing for the first time on a line with Nic Deslauriers and Derek Grant on Monday night. He remains seven points shy of tying tying Teemu Selanne (988) for Anaheim's franchise points record with seven games to go.
Getzlaf's temporary move to wing coincides with giving 20-year-old Trevor Zegras reps at center at the AHL level with the San Diego Gulls, and Zegras could get some time back in Anaheim over these remaining games. Fellow rookie Jamie Drysdale scored his third goal of the season (in 18 games) on Monday night vs. the Kings, getting Anaheim within a goal before LA pulled away late.
"I think it's amazing what this kid has done as a teenager," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said, commenting on how the 19-year-old Drysdale has played most of his NHL games as a left side d-man instead of his natural right side. "He's coming in usually playing 20 minutes a night, usually against the other team's top line. He's played his weak side. I think it's a real testament of this kid's mental fortitude. He's a real bright light in our future."
Goalie Anthony Stolarz gave up nothing after letting in two goals in the game's first 10 1/2 minutes, though it remains to be seen whether he will be in net tonight. Eakins indicated that over the final seven games, Stolarz, John Gibson and Ryan Miller will each get starts. "Right now the plan is you'll see all three goaltenders," he said on Tuesday.
Josh Manson was injured in a fight with Brendan Lemieux of the Kings in LA eight days ago and still remains day-to-day.
