SoCal NHL Preview

Anaheim (18-15-5) at Edmonton (16-18-3), 6:00 pm
EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) - The Anaheim Ducks have seemingly been rejuvenated by the addition of defenseman Scott Niedermayer. After contemplating retirement for the first 2 1/2 months of the season, the 34-year-old Niedermayer will hope to lead the Ducks to their fourth consecutive victory when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

Niedermayer was the captain of last season's club which won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The reigning Conn Smythe recipient, who had three goals and eight assists in the postseason, has two assists in four games since returning to the club on December 16. Anaheim's new captain, defenseman Chris Pronger, not only helped the Ducks win the championship last season, but also was critical in leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals the previous season. Edmonton hopes a three-day break can help it avoid its fourth straight loss.

The Oilers have managed just four goals over their current slide and have not won a game in regulation since December 2, a 4-0 triumph over the Ducks. That victory was the last shutout for Mathieu Garon, who is 9-7-1 with a 2.49 goals-against average this season. Shawn Horcoff leads the Oilers with 16 goals and 34 points this season.