:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51694073/519297162.0.jpg)
Calgary Flames @ LA Kings, 8:00 PM MT, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
| Broadcast Schedule |
|---|
| TV: CBC, FSW, RSN |
| Radio: Sportsnet 960 |
The Flames are 1-0 on their current California trip and they look to move to 2-0 as they battle the LA Kings tonight from Staples Center. One point separates these two teams in the division and in the conference and these 2 points could give the Flames a little breathing room. This is the first meeting of the two teams with Calgary dropping all 4 decisions to the Kings last season. The Flames found themselves outscored in those 4 games by an average of 3.5 to 1.5. If the Flames are to extend their winning streak to 2 games they will surely have to find the back of the net a lot more.
The Flames are back on track so to speak after a hard fought 3-2 win at San Jose. Calgary blew 2 leads in the game, but ended up getting a late goal from Matthew Tkachuk to seal the deal. That’s the kind of game the Flames needed to win, as they lost momentum against a quality hockey team and battled to get the victory. The Flames had previously been streaky in both the right and wrong dircetion. Calgary went from winning 3 straight to dropping 2 straight and now they sit with the chance to move further up the standings before they head to the nightmare that is Anaheim.
The Kings lost Jonathan Quick early on and while their record is only .500, they haven’t gotten bad goaltending from Peter Budaj. His 2.31 GAA ranks 23rd in the league, but he’s 5th in games started at 9 and has only allowed 19 goals on 193 shots. LA just snapped a 3 game skid that was proceeded by a 4 game win streak.
Both teams has struggled on special teams this season and Calgary could get an advantage here as the Kings are allowing a decent amount of goals and Calgary isn’t having a hard time putting the puck in the net. If the Flames can take this game they’ll get a much needed 2 points and climb the ladder out of the crowed middle pack in the West. Here’s how the teams match-up:
| Calgary Flames | Los Angeles Kings | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6-1 | Record | 5-6-0 |
| 11 | Points | 10 |
| 4th Pacific | Division | 5th Pacific |
| 4th West | Conference | 5th West |
| 5-4-1 | Last 10 | 5-5-0 |
| 34 | Goals For | 22 |
| 41 | Goals Against | 32 |
| Frolik (5) | Goals | Pearson (4) |
| Frolik (9) | Points | Martinez (9) |
| Johnson (.908) | Save % | Budaj (.902) |
| 9.3 % (27th) | PP% | 12.5 % (23rd) |
| 73.1 % (29th) | PK% | 75.6 % (27th) |
Calgary Flames 3 San Jose Sharks 2
The Flames last played on Thursday night and got 2 goals, including the game winner, from Matthew Tkachuk. Chad Johnson got the start in net and played very well as he stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced. Here’s our recap, the highlights and stats from the 3-2 win.
| Goals | Shots | Shots Allowed | Hits | PIM | FOW | Giveaways | Takeaways | PP | PK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22 | 28 | 32 | 12 | 23/56 | 14 | 6 | 0/2 | 4/5 |
LA Kings 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (OT)
The Kings ended a 3 game skid with a 3-2 OT victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Nick Dowd’s second goal of the season in OT did the trick and the Kings were able to get back in the win column. Jewels From the Crown has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.
| Player | Record | GAA | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary: Elliott (C) | 3-5-0 | 3.12 | .889 |
| LA: Budaj (E) | 5-3-0 | 2.31 | .902 |
Players To Watch
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7414007/usa_today_9638933.jpg)
Calgary Flames: Michael Frolik (F). Frolik has be hot as of late getting 5 points in his last 4 games. He’s had 1 multi point game and is really clicking with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. Frolik had helpers on both of Tkachuk’s goals in San Jose and he also leads the Flames with 5 goals. Last season he only skated in one of the 4 games against LA and was held pointless in a 2-1 loss.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7414011/usa_today_9633264.jpg)
LA Kings: Alec Martinez (D). Martinez leads the Kings in assists (7) and points (9) and he’s off the charts at home. The Kings have played 6 games at Staples Center and he’s registered 1 goal and 6 assists over that span. Martinez just snapped a 3 game pointless streak by grabbing 2 helpers in the Kings 3-2 OT win over the Penguins.