Pacific Division Shootout in El Segundo

It just started last night in Toyota Center; the Kings host the Ducks, the Coyotes and the Sharks' highly touted prospects in a round robin tournament.

The Kings young guns (potentially heading to anywhere from Manchester to Reading and Bakersfield) beat the Duck's prospects by the score of 6-5.

Here's a quoted scoring summary from HFboards/LGK.com onlookers:

1st period scoring 3-3
1-0 Gabe Gauthier (LA)
2-0 Anze Kopitar (LA) slapper from the right wing
2-1 Drew Miller (Ana)5-3 PP 9:30
2-2 Ryan Carter (Ana) 5-3 PP13:50
3-2 Chris Korchinski (LA) nice breakaway feed from Holloway
3-3 Ryan Miller (Ana) 5-3 PP

2nd Period Scoring 5-4
4-3 Matt Moulson (LA) 2:30 went straight to the net after face-off
5-3 Matt Moulson (LA) 12:00
5-4 Colby Genoway (Ana) 5-4 PP 16:39

3rd period scoring 6-5
6-4 Eric Warner (LA) (deflected blast from Mormina) 5-3 PP 5:25
6-5 Ryan Carter (Ana) 5-3 PP 11:45

A couple of quick observations of mine:

Firstly, I find it a sign of the things to come that the Kings never trailed in this first game. If anything these young prospects need to learn how to get in front, dominate and add to their lead.

Secondly, it's easily noticeable that *all* Duck goals were scored on PP (including four of them on five-on-three powerplay). While statistically it doesn't bode well to the Kings, it bails out Jonathan Bernier, who was otherwise pretty dependable.

Thirdly, can Matt Moulson take the second line wing position in Manchester this season? That might even be timely, as Ned Lukacevic showed some serious grit and commitment on the penalty kill and could be moved to the third/energy line in Manchester with a little more defensive role.

Right, now to the actual lines:

Forwards:
Roussin-Kopitar-Holloway
Lukacevic-Gauthier-Meckler
Moulson-Korchinski-Zeiler
McLaren-Stephenson-Hogeboom

Defensemen:
Petiot-Schira
Mormina-Harrold
McGinnis-Werner

Goaltenders:
Bernier
Fukufuji (DNP)

Roussin on a top line - might be given a prolonged "last" chance to rise and shine, really. Otherwise it might easily turn out the AHL is his ceiling. I'm also looking forward to having Hogeboom finally play up to his potential. As for Mormina and Harrold, they might easily form a pair in Manchester.

The news of the day though is Anze Kopitar and his marvellous vision, precision and skating skills level.

Lots of things to come as the Kings play San Jose Sharks tonight. There might be a chance to see the likes of Konstantin Pushkarev, Peter Kanko and Trevor Lewis on the ice. The word is Lauri Tukonen is nursing a minor injury and might not play more than a couple of shifts.