Up to Speed in SoCal

Well, here we go with another tandem of very important hockey games, played Thursday night and Friday night in front of packed arenas in SoCal. For one team, the Kings, their contest (Thursday, versus the Avs) would all but bury their hopes to play on into next week. For the other, the Ducks their contest (on Friday, versus the Oilers) would give them hope that they could hang with what many perceive to be a more offensively gifted squad.