September 24, 2026 • 3:03 AM EDT
Updated 2 hours ago
The Anaheim Ducks dropped their second game of the NHL preseason, falling 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center on Wednesday night. While the result goes down as a loss, what actually matters at this stage is how the team’s young prospects and depth players are handling NHL-caliber situations. And if you watched closely, there was plenty to like about the Ducks’ developmental arc, even if the scoreboard wasn’t kind.
This wasn’t the Ducks’ NHL-heavy lineup like their opener against San Jose. Instead, the coaching staff went with a mix of roster hopefuls and younger players, resulting in a game that was a bit more level in terms of experience compared to their local rival’s squad. The preseason, especially when compressed like this year, is about testing combinations and exposing youth to tougher matchups. For the Ducks, it was a chance to see which raw prospects might be ready for the bright lights of an NHL barn.
According to Yahoo Sports, the most anticipated debut was Jayden Kurtz, just three months after being drafted. He was entrusted with first-pair minutes next to Pavel Mintyukov. Lukas Dostal took the crease for Anaheim and was solid, stopping 17 of the 19 shots he faced, while Anton Forsberg outdueled him in net for LA, finishing with 24 saves on 25 shots.
Like most preseason affairs stacked with AHLers and prospects, the game was a bit messy. Both teams struggled mightily on the power play, combining for a brutal 0-for-11. Anaheim managed some decent looks, but Forsberg was there each time, keeping them at bay in high-danger moments.
Let’s break down why this preseason tilt mattered, score aside. For the Ducks, everything starts with Tristan Luneau. He was the busiest skater on the team, logging nearly 19 minutes at even strength, leading power play time, and dominating shorthanded shifts too. This kind of workload tells you the coaching staff trusts his game, and you didn’t need advanced stats to see why. Luneau controlled the puck, dictated the pace, handled defensive responsibilities with poise, and made crisp retrievals all night. For a player on the cusp, that’s a confidence-builder — and a green light for his NHL upside.
Then there’s Jayden Kurtz. After a so-so rookie camp, Kurtz hit the ground running here. He wasn’t just surviving — he showed some real poise with zone exits, played with a good stick, and handled NHL competition well for a freshly drafted 18-year-old. You can see why Anaheim’s brass wanted a look at him against real opposition. Sure, he’s still a work in progress, but this was the first glimpse of NHL tools that might shine with another year or two of development.
- The Ducks rolled out a more prospect-heavy lineup than in their opener.
- Tristan Luneau led all Anaheim skaters in ice time across all situations, showing serious trust from the bench.
- Jayden Kurtz made his NHL preseason debut just months after the draft, looking comfortable at first-pair defense.
- Lukas Dostal looked sharp in net, making key saves to keep things close.
- Neither team could get the power play going, combining for an 0-for-11 night on the man advantage.
Young D-core Showing Signs of Growth
Tristan Luneau was the easy standout, but he wasn’t alone in making an impression. The Ducks defensive group is long on youth and upside, and the coaching staff leaned on them throughout. From what we saw, Anaheim’s blue line isn’t afraid to activate and drive play with the puck — a piece of the modern game that aligns with development priorities at this stage. Luneau set the tone, but even guys like Noah Warren showed flashes, especially when it came to mobility and reads off the rush. Warren, in particular, has made strides, but he needs to reel in the complexity with the puck under pressure. With simpler execution, he could cement a role at the highest level.
Cycle Offense Emerges, but Finishing Missing
This Ducks group might not have been clinical around the net, but their extended shifts in the offensive zone showed there’s something brewing with the forwards and how they cycle possession. Forwards like Frank Vatrano and Yegor Sidorov were seen pulling higher into the zone, stretching the Kings’ structure and creating space for defensemen to activate. If Anaheim sticks with this approach, goals will come as the chemistry settles and the regulars rotate back in — it’s a positive tactical sign, even in a low-scoring loss.
Key takeaways
- This was a development-focused game for Anaheim — don’t sweat the loss.
- Tristan Luneau looks ready for more responsibility and could stick at the NHL level if he keeps this up.
- Jayden Kurtz isn’t far off. His game held up well against NHL opponents, a rare feat for a recent draft pick.
- Lukas Dostal gave the Ducks a chance to win, solidifying his status between the pipes this camp.
- Noah Warren’s skating and defensive play are NHL-quality, but puck decisions remain his next hurdle.
- The Ducks’ cycle offense is creating chances, even if the finishing touch isn’t there yet.
- Power play units are still searching for rhythm — a concern if trends continue.
- The real story is about who steps up and carves out a roster spot before opening night.
Looking Ahead
The Ducks’ preseason slate rolls on Thursday as they travel north for their third exhibition against San Jose. Expect the staff to keep juggling lineups, searching for the right mix of youth and reliable veterans as the regular season draws closer. The emphasis is on development, but these flashes of potential suggest Anaheim could be on the rise sooner than later.
More coverage: NHL news coverage, NHL analysis and odds and today’s NHL picks.
Related stories
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We may earn a commission from affiliate links.
Login 
