SoCal NHL Report

Detroit (3-1-1) at Los Angeles (1-4-0), 7:30 pm, FSN

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Kings will look to put an end to a rough stretch when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night. The Kings have lost four straight and have yet to win on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Their lone win came in the season opener against the Anaheim Ducks in London, England on September 29.

Los Angeles' biggest problem has been defense, surrendering 22 goals over its current skid. Rookie goaltender Jonathan Bernier allowed seven goals in Friday's 8-6 setback to the Boston Bruins. Considering Bernier's struggles, the Kings may turn to Jason LaBarbera, who hasn't been much better at 0-2 with a 4.50 goals-against average. Before the season, the team demoted their most experienced netminder, Dan Cloutier, to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League. The Kings best offensive weapon has been Michael Cammalleri, who has tallied five goals and seven points in five games.

No matter who is in the crease for Los Angeles, the Red Wings' offense will give them plenty to worry about. Tomas Holmstrom leads the club with four goals and Henrik Zetterberg has collected three goals and a team-leading nine points this season. Unlike the Kings, the Red Wings' goaltending situation is settled with Future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek between the pipes. The six-time Vezina Trophy recipient is 2-1-1 with a 2.41 GAA this season.


Minnesota (4-0-0) at Anaheim (2-3-1) 5:00 pm
ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Will Jean-Sebastian Giguere finally suit up for the Anaheim Ducks? The Ducks hope to build off a win in their home opener when they host the undefeated Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Giguere was in attendance for the opener but instead of pads and skates, he was sporting a suit and tie. The 30-year-old Giguere, who has missed the start of the season recovering from sports hernia surgery, went 36-10-8 with a 2.26 goals-against average last season.

Francois Beauchemin scored in the third period on Wednesday to give the defending Stanley Cup champions to a 2-1 triumph over the Boston Bruins at the Honda Center. Beauchemin has registered a team-leading four assists and five points. The 2006-07 Frank Selke Trophy recipient, Samuel Pahlsson - who also had sports hernia surgery in the offseason - was back in the lineup for Wednesday's home opener. Though not in uniform, Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer both were on hand to help raise the championship banners. Neither player has given any indication about whether they will retire or return to the ice.

The Wild have far less to worry about. Minnesota continued its red-hot start with a 3-2 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night. Niklas Backstrom turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced and has propelled the Wild to all four of their victories. The Finn is 4-0 between the pipes with a 1.00 GAA, .960 save percentage and two shutouts.