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Ducks, Kings to get 2007-08 season underway in London

Sep 29, 2007 - 11:11 AM Anaheim vs. Los Angeles, 12:00 pm EDT

LONDON (Ticker) -- The National Hockey League is kicking off its 2007-08 campaign across the Atlantic.

While the vast majority of the teams still are finishing up preseason competition, the Anaheim Ducks will start the defense of their Stanley Cup championship against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday in the 90th regular-season opener at the O2 Arena in London, England.

It will not be the same Ducks' team that won the Stanley Cup last season, however, as two of the club's top three scorers from 2006-07 will not be playing Saturday.

Defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who was Anaheim's captain last campaign, still has not decided whether or not he will return to the team. The 34-year-old Niedermayer, whose leadership was a major factor in the Ducks' run to their first title, collected 15 goals and 54 assists last season.

The Ducks' insurance policy for Niedermayer, Mathieu Schneider, also will miss the start of the season with a fractured ankle. Schneider, who signed a two-year contract with Anaheim in the offseason, is a two-time All-Star that helped the Montreal Canadiens win the Cup in 1993.

Teemu Selanne also seems to be suffering from a Stanley Cup hangover as he also has yet to make a decision regarding his future with the team. Selanne, who led the Ducks with 48 goals and 94 points last season, turned 37 in July.

The Kings are coming off a championship of their own, even though it is far less prestigous than the Stanley Cup.

Los Angeles managed to win the Red Bull Salute Invitational Tournament in Salzburg, Austria on Wednesday. The Kings pulled out a 7-6 win over the EC Red Bulls Salzburg on Tuesday before winning the event Wednesday with a 4-3 triumph over Farjestads BK.

Los Angeles, which finished last in the NHL in penalty-killing in 2006-07, did shore up their defense corps this offseason by adding Tom Preissing and Brad Stuart along with a defensive-minded center in Michal Handzus.

With the departure of goaltender Mathieu Garon and the demotion of Dan Cloutier, more pressure will be put on Jason LaBarbera this season. LaBarbera, who has played in just 34 career NHL games, likely will enter this campaign as the Kings' No. 1 goaltender.

Anaheim and Los Angeles will meet again Sunday to close out the two-game series in London.