NHL ROUNDUP: SNAKEBIT KINGS ARE HOPEFUL.

In the aftermath of their latest loss, Saturday night at home to Carolina, there was an uncharacteristic feeling in the Kings' locker room. Call it cautious optimism, borne from the fact that Saturday the Kings actually showed a little spunk.

Only time will tell whether or not the optimism is misguided, though no amount of hopefulness can erase the fact that the Kings (5-9-3) are scoreless in their last 22 power plays and have lost three consecutive games as they head into tonight's meeting with the Mighty Ducks (5-6-4) at the Pond.

The most graphic example of how snake-bitten the Kings are came during a first-period power play in the Carolina loss, when Philippe Boucher sent the puck toward the glass in the Hurricanes' zone - and through one of the small holes in the Plexiglas through which photographers point their lenses.

- Roger Phillips

Chicago 2, Ottawa 2: Eric Daze's power-play goal at 5:47 of the third period lifted the Blackhawks to a 2-2 tie with the Senators in Chicago on Sunday night, but the Blackhawks' winless streak reached 10 games (0-8-2).

Colorado 2, Vancouver 1: Adam Deadmarsh scored twice as the Avalanche extended its unbeaten streak to 15 games against the Canucks with a come-from-behind win in Vancouver.

- Associated Press

KINGS vs. DUCKS

Time: 7:30 p.m. at the Pond

TV: Fox Sports West 2

Radio: KRLA 1110/AM, XTRA 690/AM

Matchups: This is the first of six meetings between the area rivals. The Kings lead the all-time series, 12-10-4, and won last year's season series, 3-1-1.

- Roger Phillips

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Box

BOX: KINGS vs. DUCKS (see text)