“And now, the end is near”
With their 2026 Pacific Division title already secured, the Reign head back to Toyota Arena for a final pair of games this weekend — closing out what’s been a rather impressive season, led by first-year head coach Andrew Lord.
Waiting for Ontario in their penultimate game on Friday night will be a familiar foe in the San Diego Gulls. Even though both teams have already locked in their playoff positions, never discount a battle between what has been one of the AHL’s best rivalries since the league moved West about a decade ago.
This latest matchup between the Kings and Ducks top affiliates is further intriguing for several reasons. First, if the Gulls were to upset the No. 2 seed (likely the Colorado Eagles) in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs next week, they would face the Reign in Round 2. Thus, this could be a potential preview of that series.
Secondly, and perhaps most notably, the spotlight tonight will feature a clash of top prospects, with Roger McQueen and Hampton Slukynsky set to take the ice for their respective teams.
McQueen, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, scored his first professional goal last Friday in Bakersfield. He’s off to a solid start with the Gulls, recording three points in his first five games.
Meanwhile, Slukynsky, the Kings top goaltending prospect, was also impressive last Friday in his AHL debut vs. Coachella Valley. The 2025 NCAA national champion stopped 21 of 22 shots and secured his first victory as a professional.
Perhaps somewhat lost in all the hype, look for Lord to go with a substantially different lineup for this one. Several regulars will be rested and if yesterday’s alignment at practice was any indication of what’s to come, Kings prospect Kenny Connors will center the top line. How it’s likely to all shake out is listed below.
Hearing from Hammer
Slukynsky on his first pro start, last weekend at Toyota Arena:
It was unreal. It’s always been the dream to play pro hockey. So, to be told I was playing [against the Firebirds] was really exciting. I had a lot of adrenaline going, and it was fun. The fans brought the energy, and the guys played really well in front of me and made it pretty easy on me. It was unreal and I’m just happy to have helped the team get the win.
On the biggest adjustment jumping from college to the AHL:
I would just say the size of the players and the traffic. Coachella Valley did a good job of getting in front of me, and my D did a good job of boxing out. But, they’re bigger and it’s hard to see around at times. It was a little bit of an adjustment, but it was good.
On attending a Reign game a few days prior; how much being in the building and the environment may have helped him in his debut:
It was huge. That was my first AHL game [last] Tuesday. So, just to see the level and the speed, basically the game operations and how everything works, that was huge. That helped me a lot.
On getting to know Lord and the coaching staff:
It’s been great. Everybody here has been treating me unreal. I talked to him a little bit [before that first game], just around the facility in El Segundo. He’s been great, and we’ve had some good conversations.
On his developing relationship with goalie coach Adam Brown:
He’s been unreal. Actually, the whole goalie development staff here has treated me really well ever since I was drafted [by the Kings]. They’ve all helped me so much. Obviously, I’ve only been here a week or so, and I’ve learned so much from him and [Mike] Buckley, the Kings goalie coach. They’ve both helped me a lot and it showed [in my first start].
And a little from Lord, talking up his young goaltender:
“The guy is incredible; he’s phenomenal — as billed, as everyone talked about. He’s that and more. So, it’s really great to see him do what he did [in his first start].”
Reign Projected Lineup vs. Gulls
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Alexandrov – Connors – Chromiak
Brown – Pinelli – Jamsen
Lee – Hughes – Ziemmer
Isogai – Gorman – Doty
Kirsanov – Booth
Dvorak – Salin
Novikov – Brzustewicz
H. Slukynsky (starter)
Portillo
Likely scratches: (F) Gawdin, Guttman, Jenik, G. Slukynsky and (D) Hicketts, Millar, Rego and (G) Copley
Practicing with the team: (F) Chovan
Injured: Burroughs
Last time out, this is how the Gulls looked:
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time and will be streamed via FloSports. Additionally, a Reign radio feed is available here.
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