News Summary
The Anaheim Ducks launched their preseason with a loss against the Los Angeles Kings during the Empire Classic at Toyota Arena. The Kings won 3-1, marking a competitive start. New head coach Joel Quenneville led the Ducks, showcasing young talent and strategies ahead of the NHL season. Kept under wraps was a concerning injury to forward Jansen Harkins, highlighting the team’s fitness as they prepare for upcoming games, including a matchup against the Utah Mammoth.
Ontario, California – The Anaheim Ducks opened their 2025 preseason with a match against their rivals, the Los Angeles Kings, at Toyota Arena. The puck dropped at 3 p.m. PT for the Empire Classic, where the Kings emerged victorious with a 3-1 score, marking a strong start to their preseason campaign.
This matchup is one of two neutral-site contests for the Ducks in this year’s preseason. It is the first of a total of seven exhibition games facing the team, all to be held in California. Notably, four of these matchups will be against the Kings, with the next game scheduled at Honda Center on September 24.
Joel Quenneville made his debut as the Ducks’ head coach during this game, after overseeing the team’s training camp earlier in the week. With a remarkable history of 969 career wins, Quenneville holds the record for the second-most wins in NHL history and boasts three Stanley Cup championships, bringing extensive experience to the Ducks’ bench this season. Players, including forward Ryan Strome, expressed the value of learning from Quenneville’s vast knowledge and expertise.
Among the new faces on the Ducks roster are 2024 first-round draft picks right wing Beckett Sennecke and defenseman Stian Solberg, along with followers Tristan Luneau and forward Yegor Sidorov, all of whom have the potential to significantly impact the exhibition series.
On the other side, Jim Hiller is in his second season as head coach of the Kings. He confirmed that goalie Carter George would be taking the ice against the Ducks. The game featured a mixed lineup for both teams, emphasizing the incorporation of younger players and prospects as the teams prepare for the upcoming NHL season.
The scoring opened with Ducks forward Nikita Nesterenko securing a goal in the first period, bringing the score to 1-0. However, the Kings responded swiftly; Alex Turcotte equalized with his own goal later in the first period, making it 1-1. The Kings took the lead through a shorthanded goal by Alex Laferriere in the third period. Andre Lee ultimately sealed the game with an empty-net goal, resulting in a final score of 3-1 in favor of Los Angeles.
In terms of goaltending, the Ducks started Ville Husso, who successfully stopped 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Kings’ netminder, Carter George, had a strong outing as well, saving 22 of the 23 shots directed at him.
During the game, Anaheim faced a setback as forward Jansen Harkins left with an upper-body injury, later seen in a sling, raising concerns regarding his availability for future matches. The Ducks plan to evaluate the situation and make necessary roster moves based on their training camp’s developments prior to the next exhibition game.
Looking ahead, the Ducks’ next exhibition matchup will be against the Utah Mammoth, who have recently undergone a name change, scheduled at Honda Center. The ongoing preseason will allow the Ducks and their competitors to refine their tactics and integrate new players into their strategies as they approach the start of the NHL regular season.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- NHL: Kings 3 Ducks 1 – Preseason Final
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles Kings
- Mayor’s Manor: Empire Classic – Kings vs Ducks
- Google Search: Anaheim Ducks
- The Hockey News: Ducks 3-1 Loss Takeaways
- Google Scholar: NHL Preseason
- The Sporting Tribune: Ducks vs Kings Preseason
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NHL
- LA Kings Insider: Empire Classic Preview
- Google News: NHL Preseason 2025
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
