WATCH Ducks vs. Kings Live Stream Online: NHL Top Rival Rankings 2016, Playoff Updates

Hockey's back for the official 2015-2016 NHL season, so get ready, MstarsNews readers!

The Anaheim Ducks battle it out on the ice against the Los Angeles Kings in Week 17 of the regular season on Thursday, February 4 at 10:00 p.m. EST from the Staples Center in California. Read on to see where fans can watch and listen to a live stream of the highly-anticipated Thursday evening hockey game online and catch up-to-date feeds and coverage on highlight plays and scores.

Now heading into mid-season, both Anaheim and LA maintain rather impressive top spots in Pierre LeBrun's official NHL power rankings for ESPN.com (out of a total 30 teams):

Ducks (5): "Speaking of preseason thoughts, I'm feeling a tad better about my Lightning-Ducks Cup finals prediction. Chicago and L.A. are the teams to beat in the West, but Anaheim has risen back to life. Big week for the Ducks with Pacific Division tilts with San Jose, L.A. and Arizona."

Record: 23-18-7 (3rd in Pacific Division).

Kings (3): "Oh, baby! I'll be staying up to watch the Kings and Ducks on Thursday night, Big Boy Western Conference hockey."     

Record: 31-16-3 (1st in Pacific Division).

Tonight's monumental game will be broadcasted live on your local NBCS sports channel.

For fans who want to try out a free live stream (which may mean downloading a torrent), click here. Also try this or another option.

For a one-time fee, fans can access a NHL Gamecenter Live pass.

ESPN, ESPN Scoreboard, and NHL.com  are both good sources for up-to-date game coverage and feeds.

More radio listening options for Kings and Ducks.

Official NHL team websites: Kings and Ducks.

Enjoy this evening's exciting hockey game from LA, and always stick with MstarsNews for even more NHL gameday coverage later this week. Which West Coast rival will snag the big win tonight?