The Los Angeles Kings secured their first win of the 2026-27 campaign with a 2-1 road victory over the Anaheim Ducks, marking a new era under captain Drew Doughty.
The Los Angeles Kings improved to 1-2-0 with a decisive 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks (1-2-0) on September 24, 2026. The win provided an early spark for Los Angeles, who stabilized their start to the season against their divisional rivals. The decisive factor was timely scoring from Alex Laferriere, whose game-winning goal, assisted by Andre Lee, proved sufficient to hold off a Ducks squad that struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure despite the contributions of Ethan Procyszyn.
Los Angeles Kings Performance
The Kings managed to secure their first point of the 2026-27 season on the road, improving their record to 1-2-0 and remaining in 6th place in the Pacific Division. The victory was anchored by the offensive production of Alex Laferriere, who recorded the game-winning goal. Andre Lee added a key assist on that marker, while Joel Armia topped the team in points for the night with one point. The performance offered a glimpse of stability for a roster that has faced significant questions regarding consistency heading into the year.
This win carries additional weight due to major organizational changes. Longtime defensive star Drew Doughty was named the new captain of the Los Angeles Kings, replacing the retired Anze Kopitar. This leadership shift signals a new era for the franchise, with Doughty stepping up to guide the young core through the early-season grind. However, the Kings are navigating a severe injury list that continues to test their depth. Key players Drew Helleson, A.J. Greer, Troy Terry, Ian Moore, and Otto Salin are all listed as Out. Additionally, Jakub Dvorak and Jan Jenik remain on Injured Reserve, while veterans Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry are Day-To-Day. Forward Kevin Fiala is also recovering from follow-up surgery for a broken leg sustained at the Olympics and missed the start of training camp, further limiting the available talent pool.
Anaheim Ducks Performance
The Anaheim Ducks fell short in their season opener, dropping the 2-1 decision to the Kings. Despite the loss, there were individual bright spots in the lineup. Ethan Procyszyn stood out as the lone offensive threat for Anaheim, recording one goal and one assist for a total of one point. Judd Caulfield added an assist, showing flashes of potential in the middle six. However, the Ducks were unable to overcome the defensive structure imposed by Los Angeles, failing to score the tying goal needed to extend the contest.
The Ducks are also dealing with significant roster depletion as they navigate this early-season slump. Nine players are listed with injury concerns, creating challenges for coach Pat Verbeek’s lineup construction. Players including Troy Terry, Ian Moore, A.J. Greer, Drew Helleson, Quentin Musty, and Cam Lund are listed as Out. Day-to-day absences include Adam Gaudette, Alex Barre-Boulet, and Patrick Giles. On the front office side, the Ducks have made moves to solidify their future, signing young left wing Cutter Gauthier, 22, to a six-year contract. General Manager Pat Verbeek cited Gauthier as “a major part of our young core” after creating salary-cap space. Leadership has also shifted, with Mikael Granlund being named the 10th captain in franchise history. Granlund, who recorded 19 goals and 22 assists in his first season with Anaheim, now leads the locker room as the team looks to rebound from this opening night setback.
Turning Point
The game hinged on the execution of the Kings’ power play and defensive zone coverage during critical stretches. While specific period-by-period shifts are not detailed in the box score, the margin of victory suggests that Los Angeles successfully neutralized Anaheim’s primary driving force, Ethan Procyszyn, after he opened the scoring or kept the Ducks within striking distance. The Ducks’ inability to capitalize on secondary scoring opportunities beyond Procyszyn and Caulfield allowed the Kings to maintain control. Drew Doughty’s presence in the blue line likely played a pivotal role in shutting down high-danger chances, reinforcing the new leadership dynamic that defines the current Kings roster.
What It Means Next
The implications of this result set the stage for an immediate rematch between these two California rivals. Both teams sit at 1-2-0 in the Pacific Division, making tonight’s contest crucial for early standings momentum. The Kings return home to Crypto.com Arena for a game on September 26, 2026, at 8:00 PM PT, where they will look to build on their road success. For Anaheim, the focus is on correcting the defensive lapses that cost them the opener and finding more balanced scoring amidst their injury crisis. The series serves as a litmus test for both franchises’ ability to handle the physical demands of the NHL schedule early on.
- Los Angeles Kings defeat Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on September 24, 2026.
- Drew Doughty officially named Kings captain, replacing Anze Kopitar.
- Alex Laferriere scores the game-winning goal; Joel Armia leads Kings in points.
- Ethan Procyszyn records 1 goal and 1 assist for the Ducks in the loss.
- Both teams face immediate rematch on September 26 at Crypto.com Arena.
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