2026 Rookie Faceoff Preview - Game 2, LAK vs. ANA

The LA Kings are back in action at the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, completing a back-to-back set. Here's what you need to know ahead of Game 2 this evening against the Anaheim Ducks -

When: Sunday, September 13 @ 3:00 PM PST
Where: Tech CU Arena, Orange Rink - San Jose, CA

Watch: SLVR, LAKings.com

5️⃣ Things To Know For Today's Game

1. The Kings look to bounce back from an 8-1 defeat in Game 1 yesterday evening versus San Jose, as they take on the Anaheim Ducks this afternoon at 3 PM.
2. Looks like it'll be Hammer Time in goal this afternoon! Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky appears set to make his Rookie Faceoff debut today against the Ducks. Slukynsky signed his entry-level contract last spring after two seasons at Western Michigan University, where he was one of the best goaltenders in the NCAA. He also made his AHL debut last spring, winning both of his starts, and is set to begin his professional career this fall. 
3. Forward Vojtech Cihar scored the only Kings goal in yesterday's defeat as he played his first game at a Rookie Faceoff. Cihar was a second-round selection by the Kings in 2025 and was selected as the Most Valuable Player at the 2026 World Junior Championships, as he led Team Czechia to a silver medal. 
4. The Kings could make as many as five lineup changes this evening among their skaters, including four on the blueline. Defensemen Lucas Ambrosio, Nate Corbet, Michael Mastrodomenico and Giorgos Pantelas are all expected to make their tournament debuts. Ambrosio and Pantelas were selected by the Kings at the 2026 NHL Draft and will play their first-ever Rookie Faceoff games this afternoon.
5. On defenseman Jakub Dvorak, he left yesterday's game in the third period with an injury. Head Coach Andrew Lord said that he would be further evaluated today, so unknown on his status. Typically, in an event where the results don't count, you air on the side of caution with an injury. 

Today's Projected 👑 Game Group ⬇️

Forwards (12) – Jan Chovan, Vojtech Cihar, Kenny Connors, Jack Hughes, Kenta Isogai, Kaleb Lawrence, Liam Lefebvre, Jimmy Lombardi, Elias Schneider, Grant Slukynsky, Jared Wright, Koehn Ziemmer

Defensemen (6) – Lucas Ambrosio, Henry Brzustewicz, Nate Corbet, Michael Mastrodomenico, Giorgos Pantelas, Jared Woolley

Goaltenders (2) – Carter George, Hampton Slukynsky

Players to Watch

Kings - Kenny Connors: Connors ranked 13th in the AHL in scoring last year among rookies, as he collected 41 points during his first professional season. Only nine first-year AHL players last season scored 15 goals and added 25 assists, with Connors included in that mix. 

Ducks - Nikita Klepov: Klepov was Anaheim's first-round selection at the 2026 NHL Draft from the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. Klepov led the OHL in scoring last season with 97 points, as he also ranked inside the OHL's Top-10 in both goals (37) and assists (60). 

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