(Sports Network) - Last year, the Ducks finished second in what was a tight Pacific Division race. With one division loss already, Anaheim will try to avoid another setback tonight in its home opener against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Honda Center.

The Ducks posted 102 points last year, but that was only good enough for second behind the San Jose Sharks. Anaheim was then ousted by another division rival, the Dallas Stars, in the first round of the playoffs.

The club began its season on Thursday in San Jose, but was handed a 4-1 setback. Rob Niedermayer scored the lone goal for Anaheim, which looked lethargic next to an energized Sharks attack.

Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, who led the team with six shots on Thursday, both skated in the Ducks' first game this year after both joined the club late last season while separately pondering retirement.

Steve Montador and Chris Pronger added assists, while former Stanley Cup Finals MVP Jean-Sebastien Giguere was peppered with 41 shots. He stopped 37 of them.

Phoenix got its season off to a great start on Saturday, posting a 3-1 victory over Columbus in its home opener. Olli Jokinen, acquired from Florida in the offseason, had a goal and an assist in his Coyotes debut.

Second-year skater Peter Mueller, who netted 22 goals in 81 games as a rookie last year, scored in the win, while Keith Yandle also lit the lamp. Playing in his first NHL game, 22-year-old forward Kevin Porter notched an assist for his first career point, while 19-year-old Kyle Turris also had an assist.

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. The 28-year-old netminder won 26 games with the Coyotes a year ago after being claimed off waivers from the Ducks. He is 3-1-1 with a 2.07 GAA in five career starts against his former club.

The Coyotes begin a four-game road trip tonight and will also head to Chicago, Ottawa and Montreal on the swing. Last year, Phoenix finished 21-17-3 on the road.

The Ducks went 3-1-4 versus the Coyotes last season, and each of the last six meetings have been decided by one goal. Phoenix has lost 11 of its last 14 trips to Anaheim.