2026 Preseason Preview - Game 3, LAK vs. ANA

The LA Kings hit the road for the only time in the exhibition season, as they visit the Honda Center for tonight's exhibition contest. Here's what you need to know ahead of preseason Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks -

When: Wednesday, September 23 @ 7:00 PM PST
Where: Honda Center - Anaheim, CA

Watch: SLVR, LAKings.com
Listen: 710 ESPN LA, ESPN LA App

5️⃣ Things To Know For Today's Game

1. The LA Kings will hit the road for the first time in the 2026 exhibition season, as they bus down the road to Orange Country to visit the Anaheim Ducks, the first of two games between the teams over the next four days. 
2. Defenseman Drew Doughty is expected to make his preseason debut tonight in Anaheim. Doughty will wear the "C" for the first time after he was named as the 15th captain in Kings franchise history last week. 
3. Joining Doughty are four additional veterans who will feature for the first time in the 2026 preseason - Brian Dumoulin on the blueline, along with Joel Armia, Erik Haula, Alex Laferriere and Alex Turcotte up front. Those players will be expected to lead the way, in front of a younger group towards the bottom of the lineup.
4. Six players will go back-to-back tonight, after skating in last night's 6-3 loss versus Utah. That group includes defenseman Kirill Kirsanov, along with forwards Martin Chromiak, Kenny Connors, Andre Lee, Taylor Ward and Jared Wright. Those players make up a large chunk of the group vying for final places on the NHL roster this season, with performances tonight going a long way towards determining who could open the season with the Kings.
5. Goaltender Anton Forsberg is expected to get his final action of the preseason in tonight's game. Forsberg allowed three goals on Saturday in his preseason opener against Vegas and with an open competition at training camp, will look to put himself best in position to earn the start on Opening Night in Colorado.

Today's Projected 👑 Game Group ⬇️

Forwards (12) – Joel Armia, Martin Chromiak, Kenny Connors, Cole Guttman, Erik Haula, Aatu Jamsen, Alex Laferriere, Andre Lee, Lane Pederson, Alex Turcotte, Taylor Ward, Jared Wright

Defensemen (6) – Angus Booth, Drew Doughty, Brian Dumoulin, Erik Gustafsson, Kirill Kirsanov, Scott Perunovich

Goaltenders (2) – Anton Forsberg, Erik Portillo

Players to Watch

Kings - Alex Laferriere: Laferriere is set to make his 2026 preseason debut tonight in Anaheim. Last season, the New Jersey native led all Kings skaters with four goals in four games played against the Ducks, powered by his first career NHL hat trick in a Kings victory back in December. 

Ducks - Jeff Malott: The former Kings forward signed a three-year contract with the Ducks this summer after he appeared in a career-high 58 NHL games with the Kings during the 2025-26 season. Malott also skated in 10 games with Los Angeles in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including all four against Colorado last spring. 

For a full game preview of today's action, as well as coverage of the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, visit LAKingsInsider.com.