Live discussion: Kings, Ducks and the NHL

We are about 15 games into the lockout-shortened NHL season, and the Kings, who got off to a slow start, are beginning to play better as they seek to defend their Stanley Cup title. Meanwhile, the Ducks have been the surprise of the season, with the second-best record in the league.

Join Times Kings writer Lisa Dillman and Ducks writer Lance Pugmire at 12:15 today as they discuss the two teams.

As Times NHL writer Helene Elliott wrote after the Kings’ 3-1 win Wednesday,

“Trevor Lewis scored the go-ahead goal Wednesday on the rebound of a shot by Jeff Carter, and Carter provided an insurance goal with a shot from the high slot off a pass by Mike Richards at 9:27 of the third period, key elements of the Kings’ 3-1 victory over the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

“Goaltender Jonathan Bernier extended his personal winning streak to three by stopping 26 shots as the Kings (7-6-2) won for the fourth time in five games. The constant element has been Carter’s speed, intelligence at both ends of the ice, and ability to score when few other Kings are making opposing goalies break a sweat.

“Carter has been the Kings’ most effective forward this season whether he’s been at wing or center and no matter who has skated alongside him, though he modestly insisted otherwise.

“I don’t know about that. A lot of guys have stepped up their game,� he said after padding his team-leading goal total to eight. “One player’s not going to win a game. We have a lot of guys that are filling a lot of roles for us and doing a lot of things and it’s starting to show in some wins.�

“Since he won’t praise himself, let Rob Scuderi do it for him.

“He’s been real fast and he always goes to the right spot. They’ve got him moving around at different positions but he always seems to be putting himself in the right spot, supporting in the right spot,� said Scuderi, who made his own splash by contributing two assists Wednesday. “He’s probably been our most consistent forward by far.�

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