Episode 88: Ducks Streak Snapped, Kings Catch Fire

Send us Fan MailThe pace is up, the hits are down, and the plot is thick. Southern California hockey just delivered a week that flipped expectations: Anaheim punched above its weight behind Leo Carlson’s surge, while LA leaned on Corey Perry’s unlikely spark and Quentin Byfield’s OT touch to steal points in tough buildings. We sift through the noise to find the real signals—why the Ducks look legitimate even in a loss to Colorado, and how the Kings’ home/away split reveals a physical and special teams gap they can still close.We start with a heater in Vegas and a tidy win over Winnipeg that showcased Anaheim’s maturing habits: controlled entries, smarter shot selection, and a second unit that finally threatens. Then it’s a reality check against the Avalanche that still offered value—discipline matters and details decide. On the Kings’ side, Kuzmenko’s scratch wasn’t drama for drama’s sake; it was a jolt meant to reset a skilled winger. Perry’s edge game changed tone in LA, drawing cheers from fans who once loathed him, and Byfield’s confidence is creeping into decisive moments. That sets up a bigger conversation: extend Adrian Kempe now or risk deadline roulette? We break down comps, leverage, and what a late deal could cost.League-wide notes round out the picture with injuries and signings that ripple through matchups and power plays. Then we dive into game-by-game breakdowns with what actually moved the needle: Ducks’ special teams swings, Kings’ blocked-shot deficit, and which lines drove momentum. The rivalry stakes are rising, too—there’s a January back-to-back circled in bold. Expect more of what makes this fun: hard minutes for young defenders, elite pace from Anaheim’s top line, and LA’s structure grinding down mistakes.If you’re here for the story behind the scores—development arcs, contract dynamics, and why standings in mid-November matter—you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and drop us your take: are the Ducks ready for a playoff run, and what would you pay to keep Kempe in LA? Your comments drive the show, and we’ll read them live next week.Support the show-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetworkJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rqUse Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order. Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeekDitch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuackedPodcast Socials:Instagram: @royallyquacked Twitter: @RoyallyQuackedTikTok: RoyallyQuackedOur Socials:Cody SpinkInstagram: @spinko1221Twitter: @spinko1221Gary SpinkInstagram: @garyspink21 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.