Anaheim (21-15-5) at Los Angeles (16-17-6) 10:30 p.m. EST
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The only time this season the Los
Angeles Kings were able to get the better of division-rival
Anaheim was during the Ducks' four-game winless streak to begin
the season.
Since, the Ducks have recovered - and they've dominated the
Kings while climbing back into the playoff picture. The Ducks
look to come out with another win on Thursday as they complete a
home-and-home series with Los Angeles.
The Ducks came out on top in Tuesday's opener in Anaheim.
Samuel Pahlsson's power-play goal snapped a tie midway through
the third period as Anaheim won, 3-1. Bobby Ryan also scored
with the man advantage and Rob Niedermayer added an empty-netter
in the final seconds for the Ducks.
Defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer each collected
two assists and Jonas Hiller made 17 saves two nights after
shining in a 2-0 blanking of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Swiss
netminder enters this showdown with a 4-0-0 lifetime record and
0.66 goals-against average against the Kings.
The Ducks have been without star Teemu Selanne (thigh
laceration) since December 20 and absorbed another big hit when
right wing Corey Perry received a league-imposed, four-game
suspension for an elbow thrown in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to
the Philadelphia Flyers.
Anaheim center Ryan Getzlaf is tied for fifth in the NHL with 46
points, posting 15 goals and 31 assists.