Scouting the Ducks

It’s game 81 of the regular season for both the Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, but plenty of subtext remains. Beyond the usual Southern California rivalry angle, the Kings are pushing for fourth place in the Western Conference, and home-ice advantage in at least the first round of the playoffs, while the Ducks are looking for two points to assure themselves of a playoff spot. A Dallas loss to Colorado tonight would also put the Ducks in the playoffs. There are a couple question marks in the Ducks’ lineup tonight, most notably in goal, as Ray Emery is questionable for the game because of a lower-body injury. Dan Ellis would likely get the call in goal if Emery can’t play. Also, center Todd Marchant is questionable because of flu symptoms. For the latest on the Ducks, check out today’s items from the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register, followed by the expected lineups for the Ducks and Kings…

Ducks’ door to playoffs goes through Kings (Orange County Register)

Ducks’ Ray Emery questionable for Friday’s game against Kings (Los Angeles Times)

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DUCKS LINEUP
Bobby Ryan-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Jason Blake-Saku Koivu-Teemu Selanne
Matt Beleskey-Brandon McMillan-Brad Winchester
Jarkko Ruutu-Todd Marchant-George Parros

Lubomir Visnovsky-Toni Lydman
Cam Fowler-Sheldon Brookbank
Francois Beauchemin-Luca Sbias

Dan Ellis

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KINGS LINEUP
Clifford-Richardson-Simmonds
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Penner-Handzus-Moller
Ponikarovsky-Lewis-Westgarth

Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Johnson
Martinez-Greene

Quick