The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 on September 26, led by a two-goal performance from Alex Turcotte and three assists from new captain Drew Doughty.
The Los Angeles Kings opened their 2026-27 campaign with a decisive 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, September 26, at Crypto.com Arena. The win improves the Kings to a 2-2-0 record, while the Ducks drop to 1-3-0, falling to seventh place in the Pacific Division. The decisive factor in the contest was Los Angeles’ offensive efficiency and disciplined structure, which overwhelmed an Anaheim squad hampered significantly by a mounting injury crisis. New Kings captain Drew Doughty orchestrated the attack from the blue line, while Alex Turcotte provided the primary scoring threat, establishing early dominance for the home team.
Los Angeles Kings Performance
The Kings displayed a balanced and aggressive offensive approach, capitalizing on their depth to secure the six-goal total. Alex Turcotte emerged as the primary catalyst for Los Angeles, recording two goals and three points in the game. His ability to find the net consistently put pressure on the Anaheim defense from the opening faceoff. On the defensive side of the puck, new captain Drew Doughty controlled the tempo of the game, registering three assists. Doughty’s leadership was evident in his playmaking, connecting seamlessly with linemates to generate high-quality scoring chances throughout the contest.
The Kings managed the game effectively, limiting second-period surges and maintaining possession in the offensive zone. While forward Kevin Fiala remains sidelined following follow-up surgery for a broken leg sustained at the Olympics, the absence did not hinder the team’s ability to produce offense. The roster utilized its remaining forwards to fill the void left by Fiala, with Turcotte stepping up as the go-to scorer. The defensive corps, anchored by Doughty, restricted the Ducks to limited opportunities, forcing turnovers and clearing the crease efficiently when necessary.
This victory marks a positive start for Los Angeles as they navigate the early stages of the regular season. The team sits fifth in the Pacific Division, positioning themselves competitively despite the overall .500 record. The performance highlighted the transition in leadership under Doughty, who has officially taken over the “C” from retired legend Anze Kopitar. The Kings appear ready to compete for playoff positioning as the season progresses, showing resilience and tactical maturity in their season opener.
Anaheim Ducks Performance
The Anaheim Ducks struggled to contain the Kings’ offense, ultimately succumbing to a 6-2 defeat that highlights significant challenges ahead for the franchise. Nikita Nesterenko led the Ducks in scoring with one goal and one point, while Judd Caulfield contributed one assist. Despite these individual efforts, the team lacked the cohesion and depth required to match Los Angeles’ intensity. The defensive breakdowns were frequent, allowing the Kings to generate sustained pressure and convert on multiple scoring chances.
The most pressing issue for Anaheim is the severe impact of injuries on the roster. Troy Terry and Ian Moore are listed as Out, severely limiting the team’s top-end scoring potential. Otto Salin is also out, further depleting the forward group. On Injured Reserve, Jakub Dvorak and Jan Jenik are unavailable, while Corey Perry, Joel Edmundson, A.J. Greer, Drew Helleson, and Pavel Mintyukov are all Day-To-Day. This lack of availability likely contributed directly to the defensive lapses seen against Los Angeles, as replacements struggled to maintain structural integrity.
Newly named captain Mikael Granlund, who posted 19 goals and 22 assists in his first season, will need to provide stability during this rocky start. The organization is navigating growing pains under new leadership, with General Manager Pat Verbeek signaling confidence in the young core through recent moves like signing Cutter Gauthier to a six-year contract. However, the immediate reality for Anaheim is managing the health of their roster and finding ways to compete despite missing key contributors. The loss drops them to seventh in the Pacific Division, increasing the urgency to stabilize defensively.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game was established early, as Los Angeles capitalized on Anaheim’s injury-depleted lineup to build an insurmountable lead. The Kings’ ability to sustain offensive zone time, driven by Doughty’s playmaking and Turcotte’s finishing, forced the Ducks into reactive defensive shapes. Every time Anaheim attempted to rally, Los Angeles responded with structured counter-attacks, preventing any momentum shift. The cumulative effect of these early successes created a gap that the Ducks could not close, cementing the Kings’ control over the pace and outcome of the game.
What It Means
For the Los Angeles Kings, this win validates the transition to Doughty’s captaincy and demonstrates their capability to compete against divisional rivals. The performance suggests that even without Fiala, the team possesses the offensive firepower to challenge for playoff spots. For the Anaheim Ducks, the loss underscores the critical importance of player health. With no scheduled game immediately following this defeat, the team will use the downtime to evaluate the impact of the injuries and prepare for their upcoming schedule. The focus now shifts to integrating available players and hoping for returns from the Day-To-Day list as they look to turn their season around.
- Alex Turcotte recorded two goals and three points, leading the Kings’ offensive attack.
- Drew Doughty added three assists, showcasing his effectiveness as the new Kings captain.
- Nikita Nesterenko led Anaheim with one goal and one point in the losing effort.
- Anaheim faces a significant injury crisis with Troy Terry, Ian Moore, and Otto Salin ruled out.
- The Kings improve to 2-2-0, sitting fifth in the Pacific Division after the victory.
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