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| Calgary Flames vs LA Kings, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB |
|---|
| Broadcast Schedule |
| TV: RSN, FSW |
| Radio: Sportsnet 960 |
The Flames can punch their ticket to the playoffs tonight with a win over the LA Kings. Calgary currently sits in the first WC spot in the Western Conference and if they can knock off the Kings, they will make their first playoff appearance since 2014-15. The Flames have won 2 straight after dropping 2 in a row as the season winds down. The Flames still have a tough run ahead of them after this contest with LA, so clinching a playoff spot tonight would be ideal.
The King’s miserable stretch to end the season continued with their 4th loss in 5 tries as they fell to the Edmonton Oilers, putting the Oilers in the playoffs. LA could have that rare distinction of allowing a team to clinch a playoff birth in back to back nights if they lose to Calgary. The Kings woes on offence have been evident in their last 5 games as they’ve only scored more than 2 goals once in those last 5 (a 5-3 win over Winnipeg) and have been shut out twice during those 5 games. LA is pretty much assured a non playoff season at this point as they sit 11 points behind St. Louis who holds the final WC spot in the West.
The Flames and Kings have played 3 times this season with Calgary winning twice, the last time back on March 19th by the score of 5-2. These two will play one more time after tonight, Thursday April 6th in the Flames second to last game of the season. Here’s to hoping that game means nothing other than the second to last day before a playoff run.
Here’s how the teams match-up:
| Calgary Flames | LA Kings | |
|---|---|---|
| 43-29-4 | Record | 35-33-7 |
| 90 | Points | 77 |
| 4th Pacific | Division | 5th Pacific |
| 6th West | Conference | 9th West |
| 3-2-0 | Last 5 | 1-4-0 |
| 207 | Goals For | 179 |
| 202 | Goals Against | 184 |
| Monahan (26) | Goals | Carter (31) |
| Gaudreau (58) | Points | Carter (61) |
| Tkachuk (98) | PIM | Clifford (90) |
| Elliott (.911) | Save % | Quick (.922) |
| 20.3 (10th) | PP % | 19.4 (15th) |
| 80.8 (14th) | PK % | 84.5 (5th) |
| Player | Record | GAA | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flames: Elliott (E) | 25-14-3 | 2.47 | .911 |
| Kings: Bishop (E) | 17-14-5 | 2.54 | .910 |
What’s Happening With The Opposition?
Jonny Brodzinski, the AHL’s fifth-leading goalscorer, has officially been called up to the Los Angeles Kings: https://t.co/wZdiYE6tB6
— Jewels frm the Crown (@JFTC_Kings) March 23, 2017
Last Time Out
Calgary Flames 4 Colorado Avalanche 2
The Flames last took to the ice on Monday night and extended Colorado’s miserable season with 4-2 win over the Avs. Calgary got a 4 point night from Sean Monahan and Brian Elliott stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced to collect his 25th win on the season. Here’s our recap and the highlights.
LA Kings 1 Edmonton Oilers 2
The LA Kings couldn’t keep the Oilers out of the playoffs as they dropped this one 2-1 to their Conference rivals. The loss was LA’s second straight and pushed them further away in the WC standings. LA fired 35 shots on Cam Talbot, but only Jarome Iginla could find the back of the net. Here’s the highlights.
Players To Watch
Calgary Flames
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Sean Monahan (C). Coming off a 4 point night (1G 3A) against the Avs, Monahan has just added to his totals over his last 16 games. The stud centre has 20 points over that span, including 6 multi point games. One of those multi pointers was a 1 goal, 2 assist night in the Flames 5-2 win over LA on March 19th.
LA Kings
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Jarome Iginla (F). For nostalgia purposes, we go with the former Flames captain here. Iginla is having a down season in what could be his last year in the NHL. Iginla has 2 points in his last 5, one being an assist in the Kings 5-2 loss to the Flames. More importantly, this could be the last time the Flames see Iggy skate at the Saddledome.