In the year's first Freeway Face-Off, the Kings put together a clinical 4-1 win over the rivaled Anaheim Ducks. In a game where the Kings outshot their opponents 41-25 and held a 35-21 (62.5%) advantage in the face off circle, puck control came frequent and often.
After a scoreless first period, the Kings opened the scoring on the power play when Drew Doughty notched his second goal of the season just under seven minutes into the second period. With the goal, the Kings extended their home power-play goal streak to eight games (12 PPGs); a feat last accomplished by the club from Feb. 17, 2007 to March 17, 2007 (11 PPGs). A Ducks power-play goal followed with 5:33 to go in the second period, but fear not the Kings responded just before period's end. With just 21 seconds to go in the period, Alex Iafallo netted his third goal of the season finishing off a beautiful backdoor pass from linemate Phillip Danault. Trevor Moore also assisted on the goal.
The Kings pulled away in the third period with two more goals coming from the one-time teammates in Nashville. First, Viktor Arvidsson doubled the Kings lead with a nifty backhand goal off of a pass from Arthur Kaliyev. Then came the best individual goal of the year for the Kings. Following a broken stick on an attempted point shot from the Ducks, Adrian Kempe sprung Kevin Fiala for a break up the ice. As Fiala neared the net, the Kings leading point-getter was sandwiched by two Ducks checks but fought both off to hold onto the puck and made a beautiful move to the backhand, eventually flicking the puck passed the outstretched goalie. Fiala's goal was his 10th on the season, marking it seven straight season for the Swiss forward with 10+ goals.
Pheonix Copley started in net for the Kings for the fourth consecutive game and stopped 24 of 25 shots.
12/20 FINAL - Kings 4, Ducks 1
Freeway Face-Off Round 1 goes to the Kings convincingly.
10 skaters record point in Kings' 4-1 win over Ducks
