Freeway Face-Off
NHL rivalry between the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.
The Freeway Face-Off is the National Hockey League rivalry between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings. The name comes from the Los Angeles area’s extensive freeway system—specifically, Interstate 5, which connects the two teams’ arenas. It mirrors the Freeway Series in Major League Baseball, which refers to games between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The rivalry stems from the teams’ geographic closeness: they share the same metropolitan area and television market. It began with the Ducks’ first season in 1993–94 and has continued ever since. The Kings reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 1993. Through the 2022–23 season, they have made the playoffs 32 times in franchise history (13 times since the Ducks joined the league), winning the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. The Ducks have made the playoffs 14 times, reaching the Final twice—in 2003 and winning in 2007. The two teams did not meet in the playoffs until 2014.
Ducks fans have also traveled to Kings home games at Crypto.com Arena. The matchups are typically physical, often featuring multiple fights and penalties. The rivalry was highlighted at the NHL’s premiere at the O2 Arena in London at the start of the 2007–08 season, with two games that both ended 4–1—the Kings won the first, the Ducks the second. It was also showcased in a 2014 NHL Stadium Series game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where Anaheim won 3–0 in a shutout.
Tensions escalated during the 2010 NHL entry draft, hosted by the Kings at Staples Center (renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2021). When the Ducks took the stage to select Cam Fowler as the 12th overall pick, the crowd—mostly Kings fans—booed loudly.
Before 2007, the regular-season meetings had no official name. The “Freeway Face-Off” was chosen through a poll of 12,000 local hockey fans. Other contenders were “Freeze-way Series” and “Ice-5 Series.”
Notable moments include the 2007–08 season opener in London. The first game, on September 29, 2007, was the first hockey game ever played at the O2 Arena. The opening faceoff was delayed by a lighting malfunction after the national anthems. The Kings won 4–1, with 19-year-old goaltender Jonathan Bernier and two goals from Michael Cammalleri.
Quick Facts
- First Meeting
- December 2, 1993
- Latest Meeting
- January 17, 2026
- Next Meeting
- November 27, 2026
- Total Meetings
- 178
- All Time Series
- 85–61–11–21 (LAK)
- Regular Season
- 81–58–11–21 (LAK)
- Postseason
- 4–3 (LAK)
- Largest Victory
- LAK 7–1 ANA / December 27, 1995
- Longest Win Streak
- LAK W8
- Current Win Streak
- ANA W2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Kings and Ducks are rivals due to geographic proximity. The two teams are situated in the same metropolitan area and share a television market. The rivalry started with the Ducks' inaugural season in 1993–94 and has since continued. Prior to 2007, there was no official name for the regular season meetings between the Ducks and Kings. The 'Freeway Face-off' name was chosen by a poll of 12,000 local ice hockey fans. Other names being considered were 'Freeze-way Series' and 'Ice-5 Series.'
The rivalry was showcased for the NHL premiere at the O2 Arena in London at the start of the 2007–08 season with two games between the teams. The Ducks and Kings split both games 4–1 each. The Kings won the first game and the Ducks won the second game. It was also showcased as part of a 2014 NHL Stadium Series match at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where Anaheim reigned victorious in a 3–0 shutout. The rivalry was further heated during the 2010 NHL entry draft, which was hosted by the Kings at Staples Center (renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2021). When the Ducks took the stage to announce Cam Fowler as their first-round, 12th overall pick, the audience predominantly consisting of Kings fans, let out boos.
The Ducks and the Kings met in the playoffs for the first time during the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. Anaheim held home ice advantage as a result of having the best regular season record in the Western Conference. The series began on May 3, 2014, at the Honda Center and ended on May 16 with the Kings winning the series in seven games, en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
Reader's Guide
The Freeway Face-Off represents a significant geographic and cultural rivalry in Southern California ice hockey. The Kings were the first NHL team in Southern California, brought in by the 1967 NHL expansion. The Ducks, formerly known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, came into the League for the 1993–94 season. With the Kings in existence for 26 years before the Ducks arrived, many saw the Ducks as taking away from the Kings' fanbase and attention in the local market. The Ducks' arrival in nearby Orange County brought new fans to the Southern California ice hockey scene, creating rivalry between the two teams and their fans. The rivalry is also known for local bragging rights, pitting big-city Los Angeles against its southern neighbor Orange County. Games between the two teams are often very physical, typically including multiple fights and penalties. As division rivals, the Ducks and Kings could theoretically meet in either the first or second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, or in the conference finals, but neither team can meet in the Stanley Cup Final. This differs from the similar Freeway Series between MLB's Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in separate conferences and can only meet in the World Series.
Did You Know?
- The Ducks and Kings did not meet in the playoffs until the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.
- The 2014 NHL Stadium Series match at Dodger Stadium ended in a 3–0 shutout victory for Anaheim.
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