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Ducks coach Boudreau calls tonight’s game vs. LA ‘the ultimate test’

DucksKings

The Anaheim Ducks are the NHL’s second-best team, sporting a 13-2-1 record.

The Los Angeles Kings sit 19th in the league, with a 8-6-2 mark.

Yet it’s the former that’s fired up to test itself against the latter on Monday night at the Staples Center in the latest edition of the Freeway Faceoff -- just ask Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau.

“To me, it’s the ultimate test,” Boudreau told the Los Angeles Times. “They’re playing like they played in the playoffs last year. I watch every one of their games and they’re just flat-out good. And [Jonathan] Quick is good and he’s playing like he’s the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

“They’re as good a test as you’re going to find in this game today.”

The two teams have only met once this year, with Anaheim winning a 7-4 scoring bonanza that saw Quick get hooked after allowing two goals on his first three shots -- he lasted just 5:49 all told -- and Anaheim going 3-for-4 on the power play.

Also, the last game was marred by the Jarret Stoll hit on Cam Fowler, one that knocked the young defenseman out of action for eight games (he returned on Sunday in a 4-3 OT win over Colorado.)

The Kings started the season slowly but have picked things up as of late. Winners of their last three, they’ve outscored opponents 10-1 over that stretch and have only allowed eight goals over their last six games.

“This,” said Ducks winger Teemu Selanne, “is going to be a good test.”