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Local rivals clash as Los Angeles Kings take on Anaheim Ducks - NHL Preview

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Local rivals clash as Los Angeles Kings take on Anaheim Ducks - NHL Preview
Los Angeles Kings face Anaheim Ducks at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles as they look to continue their push up the Western Conference on Saturday, March 3, 2012.
The Kings recent run of poor results have kept them out of the playoff spots but luckily they are not too far behind eighth placed Dallas Stars in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles trails the Stars by just three points as they lie ninth in the Western Conference with 70 points and will be looking to close that gap on Saturday against a struggling Anaheim Ducks.
The Kings, just last Saturday ended a four game losing run with a thumping 4-0 win over Chicago Blackhawks but followed it up with a 2-1 loss to Nashville Predators.
A 4-0 victory over the regressing Minnesota Wild on Tuesday helped the Kings bounce back and they will be looking to build some momentum with another two points against Anaheim.
The Ducks, however, are not as easy to defeat as their regular season record suggests.
Anaheim has sprung some big surprises in the second half of the season and are the dark horses in the race for a playoff spot.
The Ducks chances of reaching the playoffs look bleak as they lost their last two games losing crucial points.
Anaheim are currently 12th in the Western Conference with 66 points and trail eighth place by seven points.
Kings (29-23-12, 70 pts)
Los Angeles Kings will be looking to build some winning momentum and move back into the playoff spots.
The Kings bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Nashville Predators on Monday with a huge 4-0 mauling of Minnesota Wild the very next day.
Goaltender Jonathan Bernier got the shutout after saving all 26 Wild shots on his goal and helped the Kings offence really show off their skills.
Coach Darryl Sutter waxed lyrical about his goaltender and praised Bernier’s performance after the game.
"I thought he was awesome, he was the best player on the ice. The last five or six minutes, the team played for their goalie because he's given us a real good opportunity to win the game."  
Ducks (28-27-10, 66 pts)
The two points on Saturday will be crucial for Anaheim to keep their small chances of making the playoffs alive.
The Ducks recent form though has not been good and they have given up crucial points to damage their late playoff bid further.
Anaheim though ended its two-game skid on Friday with a big 3-2 win over playoff rivals Calgary Flames and will be looking to build on that win.
Forward Ryan Getzlaf wants to build momentum with another win.
"It was an emotional one. That's a big win for our group. We've got half the battle won this weekend. Tonight's an emotional one and we've got to enjoy it right now and get ready for the next one."
They will now face their biggest rivals in the league on Saturday.
Predictions
The Los Angeles Kings will be favourite at home but the Ducks will put up a big fight.
Goals will be few as both teams are better at defence than offence.
 

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