The local hockey teams haven't enjoyed the finest of seasons in 2011. Both the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks have new coaches, and the two clubs face off Thursday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The game marks the first game for Darryl Sutter as head coach of the Kings.
The Kings have lost six of their last eight games, though they did go 2-2 on a four-game road trip under interim coach John Stevens after the firing of Terry Murray. Anaheim is 2-6-1 under new coach Bruce Boudreau, including losses in each of their last three games. The Ducks have lost 12 straight road games.
The Kings are the lowest-scoring club in the NHL, averaging just 2.18 goals per contest this season. The Ducks aren't that much better, at 2.36 goals per game, good for 28th in the 30-team NHL. This is the fourth matchup of the season between the two teams, with the Kings winning two of three games, including one shootout win on November 16.
For more news on Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown. For more on the Ducks, be sure to check out Anaheim Calling.