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Kings-Ducks matchup brings renewed rivalry to Freeway Faceoff

The Freeway Faceoff on Black Friday aims to reignite a rivalry rooted in 2014, with the Ducks atop the Pacific Division and the Kings one of three teams a point back.
The Ducks' prolonged playoff drought—seven campaigns without qualification—frames current expectations, while the Kings' 2014 playoff run and prior postseason battles set the rivalry's benchmark.
Both clubs have leaned on above-expected goaltending, with Lukáš Dostál missing a game and Darcy Kuemper continuing strong after a Vezina finalist season, while the Kings ended a 4-for-50 power-play funk with a banked winner Monday.
If Seattle remains idle Saturday, a Kings regulation win plus a Vegas loss would shift the Pacific Division lead as the NHL's second most lethal offense faces top defense.
Since Oct. 26, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield combined for four goals over 14 games, matching Joel Armia’s total, while Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault face ongoing scoring droughts.

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Kings-Ducks matchup brings renewed rivalry to Freeway Faceoff

Black Friday’s first installment of this year’s Freeway Faceoff figures to reinvigorate the rivalry to a level unseen since 2014, when the Kings ousted the Ducks in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Ducks are perched atop the Pacific Division, while the Kings are one of three teams just a point back of the lead. Seattle is idle Saturday, so with a Vegas loss of any kind and a regulation win over the Ducks, the Kings could move in…

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