SoCal NHL Preview

Los Angeles (18-27-2) at Calgary (23-17-8), 6:00 pm
CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Kings go for a season-high tying fourth straight victory when they visit the Calgary Flames on Friday. The Kings, who have had three losing streaks of at least five games this season - including eight in a row from December 12-26 - are on just their third three-game winning streak of the season. But despite a 3-1 victory against Edmonton on Tuesday, Los Angeles easily still has the worst record in the Western Conference. The Kings have not fared well against Calgary in recent contests. The Flames are 2-0 against the Kings so far this season, and have won the last five meetings dating to last season. Calgary has outscored Los Angeles, 10-7, in the two games this campaign. Calgary is coming off a 3-2 shootout victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Jarome Iginla scored the game-winner in the third round of the shootout, and the Flames' captain leads the team with 32 goals and 30 assists this season.

Anaheim (26-17-6) at Minnesota (26-17-3), 5:00 pm
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- The defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks are on their best winning streak of the season. Anaheim looks to extend its winning streak to a season-high six games when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Anaheim is 11-2-2 since the return of defenseman Scott Niedermayer. But the Ducks may have to deal with the loss of fellow defenseman and team captain Chris Pronger, who left Thursday's 2-1 victory over Nashville with a left knee injury. "He had a burner there in the knee, and he couldn't really get his feeling back in there," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "He's not dancing right now, but it is not something I think is too serious at this point." The contest is a rematch of the Western Conference quarterfinals last season, which Anaheim won in five games. But Minnesota has won the first two meetings between the teams this season. The Wild had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 shootout loss to Calgary on Wednesday. Right wing Marian Gaborik leads the team with 25 goals and 49 points and has recorded a point in five straight games.