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A week of Southern California hockey delivered everything: a Ducks road rollercoaster that turned into a statement OT win, a home-opener surge powered by net-front grit, and a Kings team battling penalties, pairing problems, and a second-period slump. We dig into why Anaheim’s offense looks sustainable—Kreider’s screens and tips, McTavish’s engine, Leo Carlson’s calm playmaking—and how the new alternates split is building a leadership core that matches their identity. When a power play adds a crease specialist and a young distributor, you don’t just score prettier goals, you bank harder ones.

On the LA side, the pieces are there: Byfield’s point pace, Fiala’s creativity, and a faceoff edge even against Crosby. The fixes are clear too. Reduce penalties that hand momentum away, re-balance the blue line so Brandt Clarke can drive transition minutes, and let a sturdier partner calm Cody Ceci’s swings. We talk Doughty–Anderson matchups, blocked-shot gaps, and the small decisions that turn one-goal losses into points.

Around the league, we hit the biggest ripples: Lane Hutson’s team-friendly extension and what it signals in Montreal, the Rangers’ early home scoring drought, a thicket of injuries reshaping contenders, and the familiar frustration of uneven officiating on dangerous stick work. It all ties back to one question: which teams have a plan that survives rough nights?

Come for the game recaps; stay for the line chemistry, special teams tweaks, and honest fixes both clubs can make right now. If you’re riding the Ducks’ momentum or begging for a Kings reset, you’ll leave with clarity, numbers, and a few spicy takes. Like what you hear? Subscribe, share with a fan who needs the therapy or the hype, and drop a review so we can read it on the show.

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A rivalry podcast is only fun if the punches land and the hugs do too. We kick off with Ducks and Kings headlines—injuries, waivers, and the Lacombe deal in Anaheim; staffing shifts, IR moves, and Kempe’s price tag in LA—then zoom out to a league buzzing with suspensions, fines, and mega-extensions. Connor McDavid’s short bridge, Jack Eichel’s long bet, and cap gymnastics around LTIR set the tone for a season where windows and wagers matter. We also talk aesthetics, because they always do: third jerseys, chrome-adjacent helmets, and why design can change how a game feels on TV and in the building.

On the ice, the Kings stumble against Colorado before dragging Vegas into chaos and winning a shootout that showcases Eichel’s star power and Dorofeyev’s finishing. The Ducks, meanwhile, outplay Seattle early but get clogged by 26 blocked shots and lose the special teams edge they needed. We break down the details—shot quality, faceoffs, penalty kill form—and make clear-eyed predictions for the week ahead, from home opener vibes to schedule traps.

Then the room goes quiet for the moment that matters most. Trent Sullivan, the Anaheim Ducks’ 21st Duck, shares a life lived at full tilt: a heart transplant at five months old, a kidney transplant in his teens, a pacemaker after COVID-era monitoring, and a terrifying colostomy followed by a hard-won reversal. Through it all, he finds joy in small rituals—The Office quotes, Legos, chocolate milk—and big communities, from concourse meetups to the night Teemu Selanne surprised him with a jersey. His goal is as bold as any Cup run: to set a longevity record with his first transplanted heart and keep showing up for the people and team he loves.

Come for the banter and breakdowns; stay for a story that reframes what belonging sounds like in a loud arena. If this episode hits you the way it hit us, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and drop a review so more fans can find our little corner of hockey.

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Hockey never moves in straight lines, and that’s exactly why this one’s so much fun. We bring two fanbases under one roof and go deep on what actually shifts a season: the Ducks locking in Mason McTavish and Jackson Lacombe as cornerstone pieces, the emotional and tactical fallout from Trevor Zegras landing in Philadelphia, and the precise tweaks the Kings need to finally power past the first round. We’re not hand-waving; we’re talking usage, special teams, depth minutes, and the small edges that become springtime margins.

From there, we zoom out to the league. Who truly improved? Tampa’s spine and continuity vs. Florida’s injury bets, Toronto’s star power vs. goaltending trust, and Carolina adding the top-six finisher they’ve craved. In the West, we weigh Dallas’s regular-season machine against Colorado’s playoff ceiling, and why Vegas keeps finding the exact star archetype to amplify Jack Eichel. The Pacific debate gets spicy: where the Kings’ playable fourth line and calmer PK can buy them wins, why Edmonton’s thinner role players may matter more than anyone admits, and whether Vancouver’s health swings will define their year. Utah’s growth curve, Minnesota’s window, and Winnipeg’s goalie-led floor all get measured against reality, not hype.

We make clear, accountable predictions for every division and plant our flags on Cup paths, then cap it with a clean listener hook: a Celebrini vs. Bedard points bet and why situation often beats raw talent for year-one impact. Along the way, expect candid laughs, honest disagreements, and a stack of receipts you’ll want to revisit in April. If you’re a Kings or Ducks fan—or just a curious NHL diehard—this episode is your roadmap to the season ahead.

Enjoyed this breakdown? Follow the show, leave a quick review, and share your own division winners and Cup picks with us. Your boldest prediction might make next week’s show.

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Hockey fever returns to Southern California as the Kings and Ducks battle through preseason, giving fans their first taste of what's to come in the 2024-25 NHL campaign.

The biggest story emerging from Anaheim comes with Mason McTavish finally ending his contract standoff, signing a six-year deal worth $7 million annually. This agreement puts to rest weeks of frustration among Ducks faithful who witnessed previous young stars like Zegras and Drysdale struggle after missing valuable training camp time. The timing allows their promising center to integrate with new coach Joel Quenneville's system before meaningful games begin.

On the ice, Los Angeles has jumped to a perfect 3-0 preseason record, including two victories over their rivals from Orange County. While exhibition results rarely translate to regular season success, several Kings prospects have seized their opportunity. Carter George has been stellar between the pipes, while Alex Turcott and Jeff Millot appear ready to claim roster spots, particularly with Corey Perry sidelined. The Kings' depth scoring and improved backup goaltending from Anton Forsberg should encourage fans heading into October.

The Ducks (1-2) have shown flashes of potential, particularly in their dominant 6-1 win over Utah where Matthew Phillips netted two goals and Jackson LaCombe contributed three assists. However, offensive consistency remains elusive, as evidenced by their 14-shot performance in a shutout loss to LA. The bright spot continues to be Lukas Dostal's development in net.
League-wide, significant injuries to stars like Jamie Benn (collapsed lung) and Aleksander Barkov (season-ending knee surgery) have reshaped expectations for their respective teams. Meanwhile, frustrations mount regarding Victory Plus broadcasts, where technical issues plague the viewing experience for dedicated fans.

What team will rise in the Pacific Division this season? Will McTavish live up to his contract? Can the Kings' prospect pipeline deliver another playoff run? The answers begin to unfold when the puck drops for real in October.

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In this episode of Royally Quacked, hosts Gary and Cody discuss the latest news surrounding the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, including player updates, contract negotiations, and injury reports. They also recap the recent Rookie Face-Off games and share their experiences from the Patriot hockey event, highlighting interactions with players and coaches. The conversation covers league-wide news, including jersey announcements and captain selections, providing a comprehensive overview of the current hockey landscape.

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In this episode of Royally Quacked, the hosts discuss recent coaching changes in the NHL, including Jim Hiller stepping down as coach of the LA Kings. They cover a variety of NHL news, including player contracts, injuries, and team announcements. The conversation shifts to their fantasy hockey league, where they invite listeners to join. The hosts also engage in a simulation of the NHL season, discussing their strategies and results, leading to a discussion on playoff predictions and the eventual Stanley Cup champion. The episode concludes with a recap of player performances and award predictions for the season

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The long NHL offseason is finally ending as hockey prepares its return with the upcoming Rookie Faceoff tournament featuring the future stars of the Kings and Ducks organizations. We break down the latest news surrounding both teams, including Mason McTavish's contract negotiations in Anaheim and Adrian Kempe's extension talks in Los Angeles.

Both teams have revealed their Rookie Faceoff rosters packed with promising talent. The Ducks will showcase 2024 first-round pick Beckett Seneca, Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg, and several other high-end prospects. Meanwhile, the Kings' roster features standouts like Liam Greentree, Henry Brzezic, and Jack Hughes (not to be confused with the Devils star). We'll be attending the Kings-Ducks rookie matchup next Sunday at El Segundo and invite listeners to join us!

The podcast takes a creative turn as we design fantasy expansion teams for each NHL division, complete with custom jerseys and logos. From the Milwaukee Moose and Richmond Rockets to the San Antonio Rattlers and Portland Pioneers, we explore what NHL expansion might look like across America. These hypothetical franchises spark discussions about which cities could realistically support NHL teams in the future.

We also dive into significant NHL news, including major changes to the collective bargaining agreement. Starting this season, a new playoff salary cap will eliminate the infamous "Vegas loophole" that allowed teams to exceed the cap during postseason play. Additional CBA changes regarding LTIR benefits, contract retention, and potentially allowing 19-year-olds in the AHL could dramatically alter how teams manage their rosters moving forward.

Don't miss our upcoming coverage of the Patriots Golf Tournament on September 20th in Temecula, where we'll be interviewing participants and supporting this important veterans' cause. Registration closes September 18th, so there's still time to sign up and participate in this worthy event.

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Summary

In this episode of Royally Quacked, hosts Gary and Cody discuss the latest news surrounding the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, including player ratings and upcoming games. They delve into the role of enforcers in hockey, exploring how this position has evolved over the years and its significance in the game. The conversation highlights the excitement for the upcoming NHL season and the importance of team dynamics.

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Hockey fans dream of fantasy matchups, but what happens when you pit the entire Eastern Conference against the Western Conference? We decided to find out by building ultimate all-star teams with one crucial twist: we had to select exactly one player from each NHL team.

After a coin flip determined our fates, Gary took command of the Eastern Conference (represented by Kings-themed jerseys) while Cody assembled the Western Conference squad (with Ducks-inspired uniforms). The challenge of selecting just one player per team forced us to make fascinating strategic choices – do you prioritize a superstar from one team, knowing you'll have to use a lesser player from another?

Gary constructed an Eastern powerhouse featuring Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Nikita Kucherov, with Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. Cody's Western squad countered with the deadly combination of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar, backed by Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Both teams looked unstoppable on paper, but only one could prevail.

We took these dream teams into NHL 25 for best of 7 game simulation, and despite Gary's Eastern squad taking the first game 4-2, my Western Conference team rallied to win four straight, clinching the series 4-1. McDavid and Draisaitl dominated with eight points each, while Matthews led the East with seven. The most surprising revelation? Gary somehow forgot to include 2 big Stars. a crucial oversight that might have cost him!

The episode also covers the latest NHL news, including Olympics orientation camp invites for Drew Doughty, Quinton Byfield, Chris Kreider and Jackson LaCombe, plus updates on the Ducks' ongoing contract negotiations with Mason McTavish.

Think you could build better conference teams? Send us your rosters and we might simulate your matchup in a future episode!

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What if the greatest players in Ducks and Kings history faced off in a seven-game series? Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robitaille squaring off against Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya? The hockey gods smiled upon us as we simulated the ultimate "All-Time Freeway Face-Off" with dream rosters from both Southern California franchises.

Before revealing the epic series results, we dive into breaking news from both teams. Coach Joel Quenneville suggests top prospect Beckett Seneca might make the Ducks roster out of camp, though development concerns remain regarding the 19-year-old's readiness. Meanwhile, the Kings have secured Alex Laferriere with a three-year deal worth $4.1 million annually, a well-deserved contract for the hardworking forward who's becoming a key piece of their future.

We provide comprehensive coverage of both teams' promotional schedules for the 2025-26 season, from the Ducks' Anime Night to the Kings' K-Town celebration featuring the return of the "Harmonic Queens" for the national anthem. The Golden State Rookie Face-Off tournament in September will showcase prospects from all three California franchises, potentially featuring both Seneca and the Kings' recently drafted talent.

The simulation results deliver everything a hockey fan could want: seven games, three overtime finishes, and a Game 7 sudden-death winner. Did Gretzky's offensive brilliance outshine Selanne's scoring touch? Could Quick outperform Giguere when it mattered most? The series MVP trophy awaits, and the debate over California hockey supremacy finds its virtual resolution.

We wrap up by announcing the return of our fantasy hockey league for listeners. Ready to test your GM skills against fellow fans? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs on Instagram to secure your spot. The race to dethrone last year's champion begins now!

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