Preview: Calgary Flames vs LA Kings 3/25/19 (76/82): Flames Look To Extend LA’s Misery

Calgary Flames vs LA Kings, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 47-21-7 (101 pts) – LA Kings 27-39-8 (62 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames return home to face the bottom dwelling LA Kings at the Saddledome Tuesday night as they inch closer and closer to finishing as the top team in the West. Calgary has a six point lead on the second place Sharks and San Jose is slowly fading in the rear view mirror. The Flames have won six of their last seven and they’ve done it in a variety of ways. They’ve had offensive outbursts like the nine goals they hung on the NJ Devils. They won 3-1 in Vancouver in a tight battle and they played a very even game in a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flames seem to be able to win any game at any time right now and that’s a good thing because tonight’s game presents them with a challenge.

The LA Kings come into this contest with the second worst record in the NHL ahead of only the Ottawa Senators and their 58 points. This, much like the Flames game against the Sens last week SCREAMS trap game because the Kings are just playing out the string. LA has dropped 16 out of their last 20 and they have only scored 4 goals or more twice in all 16 losses. LA has a nice little two game winning streak that comes on the heels of a three game losing streak. One of those wins was a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks that helped the Flames, but don’t expect the Kings to be so helpful tonight.

This the third of four meetings between these two teams with Calgary winning both earlier contests by a combined score of 5-1. The Flames haven’t swept a season series from the Kings since 2009, but a win tonight gets them one game closer. Calgary is 81-42-12 all time against LA at the Saddledome, including winning four out of the last six times the Kings have visited Alberta.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 26-7-5, 2.63 GAA, .911 Save %

Kings: Quick (E)- 15-21-6, 3.25, .891 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (35), Points- Gaudreau (92), PIM- Bennett (91), Save%- Rittich (.911)

Kings: Goals- Kopitar (21), Points- Kopitar (53), PIM- Clifford (62), Save%- Petersen (.924)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

LA Kings Coverage: Jewels From The Crown

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 – Vancouver Canucks 1

LA Kings 4 – Anaheim Ducks 3 (SO)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Garnet Hathaway (F): 10G – 6A, 5 points in last 5 games

LA Kings

Anze Kopitar (C): 21G – 32A, 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson