Next season set to begin in London

The Kings will play two regular-season games in London to start next season, probably against the Ducks, two NHL sources said Monday.

The games will be played at the O2 Arena that is being built by AEG, which also owns the Kings and Staples Center. The arena is scheduled to open in July.

“It is definitely being discussed, but nothing is finalized yet,” said Mike Altieri, vice president of communications for the Kings.

But the two sources said the Kings are already committed, with the Ducks the likely opponent. The Vancouver Canucks are also believed to be under consideration. An announcement is expected next month.

The Kings, a source said, are also expected to play a few exhibitions in Europe, though specifics have yet to be worked out.

This is the third time the NHL will have teams open their seasons overseas. The Ducks and Canucks played two games in Tokyo to start the 1997-98 season. A year later, the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames also opened in Tokyo.

TONIGHT

at Carolina, 4 PST, FSN West

Site -- RBC Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 19-30-9, Hurricanes 28-23-7.

Record vs. Hurricanes (2005-06) -- 0-1-0.

Update -- The Kings have points in five consecutive games for the first time this season, with a 2-0-3 record. Defenseman Kevin Dallman returned to the Kings from a conditioning assignment with Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League. Rookie Anze Kopitar has four goals and nine points in his last nine games. The Hurricanes, the defending Stanley Cup champions, are scrapping to hold eighth place in the Eastern Conference, having won only three of their last 10 games.

chris.foster@latimes.com