Los Angeles Kings vs Anaheim Ducks

Lore & Background

The Freeway Series is a pure Southern California showdown, born from the Ducks' 1993 expansion and fueled by proximity, playoff clashes, and a shared home market. It has never included the Edmonton Oilers, who are a separate franchise with their own rivalries.

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed at Northlands Coliseum as the crowd chanted for their heroes. There was no tension of a Freeway Series here; instead, the focus was on the familiar roar of the Edmonton faithful supporting their own against visiting opponents from California. The rivalry belonged to the south; in Edmonton, the history books were written with ink and ice by the dynasty that changed hockey forever.

Reader's Guide

There is no 'Great Rivalry' between the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and the Edmonton Oilers to document. The Freeway Series is exclusively a Southern California phenomenon involving the Kings and Ducks (formerly the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim). It began when both franchises were established in NHL territory, creating a geographic rivalry that has nothing to do with Alberta. For an Oilers historian, the focus must remain on the true rivals: the Calgary Flames, whose games define the province's hockey culture, and the teams that blocked Edmonton's path during the 1980s. Attempting to force a connection between Edmonton and the Freeway Series would distort the authentic history of the franchise.

Did You Know?

• The Freeway Series refers exclusively to the rivalry between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
• The Edmonton Oilers have never been part of the Freeway Series rivalry.

Coaching Transition

The 2025–26 campaign marked a significant leadership shift for the franchise following the departure of head coach Greg Cronin. After two seasons yielding a record of sixty-two wins against eighty-seven losses and fifteen ties, Cronin was not retained in April 2025. Joel Quenneville was subsequently appointed to lead the team on May 8. Quenneville brings extensive experience from previous stints with St. Louis, Colorado, Chicago, and Florida. His tenure included three Stanley Cup victories with Chicago between 2010 and 2015. To support this new direction, three assistant coaches were added in July: Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill, and Andrew Brewer. Woodcroft previously managed the division rival Edmonton Oilers with success, while Brewer had prior experience working alongside Quenneville during his time with Florida. This overhaul aimed to stabilize the program after a challenging period under previous management.

Playoff Resurgence

This qualification occurred following a result between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, marking their first postseason appearance since the 2017–18 season. In the opening round of competition, Anaheim faced the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks managed to defeat this formidable opponent in six games to advance. However, their run concluded in the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite a competitive series that extended to the maximum number of games, Anaheim ultimately fell short after losing in six contests. This performance represented a significant return to form for the franchise after several years away from postseason play, highlighting the effectiveness of the new coaching structure implemented during the off-season period preceding this successful campaign.

Franchise Timeline

The 2025–26 season represented the thirty-third year of operation for the National Hockey League franchise, which was originally established on June 15, 1993. While this marked their thirty-second actual season of play, it served as a pivotal chapter in their long-term history. Administrative activities included the release of the preseason schedule on June 20, 2025, followed by the regular season calendar on July 16. Additionally, the organization participated in the 2025 NHL entry draft held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, over two days in late June. These operational details underscore the structured approach taken by management to maintain continuity and track progress throughout the competitive year within the league framework.

Roster Management

Throughout the season, the organization engaged in various transactional activities to manage their roster composition. The records indicate sections dedicated to trades, players acquired or lost, and contract signings, including entry-level agreements and deals effective for the following year. Some players were noted as having been traded mid-season, with statistics reflecting only their tenure with Anaheim. Others had spent time with different teams prior to joining the squad. Retirement announcements were also part of the official record-keeping process. Ryan McGill brought experience from assistant roles with New Jersey and Vegas. These personnel decisions reflect a comprehensive strategy to build depth and expertise across all levels of the team's hierarchy for future success.