So much for Rickard Rakell needing a couple of adjustment games. With a goal and two assists, the newly-minted $22.8 million center welcomed himself back to the Ducks with authority, sparking a 4-0 win against the Kings on Tuesday night.
The first period saw the trademarked heavy-hitting style of both teams as the Kings matched the Ducks’ tempo early. One of the best parts of hockey, however, is how quickly nothing can turn into something. With just 30 seconds left in the 1st period, Rakell snapped a sneaky wrister through the five-hole of Kings goaltender Peter Budaj off a face-off win by Ryan Kesler for a goal in his first game of the season.