After their weakest effort in weeks against Dallas, the Calgary Flames (14-9-2, 30 points) are back at it as they host the Los Angeles Kings (9-15-1, 19 points) in a big divisional clash. The Pacific Division is, well, a garbage heap, and two points tonight could give the Flames breathing room at the top of that garbage heap.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.
The Flames
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm
Tkachuk – Backlund – Bennett
Czarnik – Ryan – Neal
Lomberg – Jankowski – Hathaway
Giordano – Brodie
Hanifin – Andersson
Kylington – Hamonic
Mike Smith starts for the Flames, backed up by David Rittich – Smith won his last start against Arizona and Rittich lost his last start against Dallas, so it makes sense. The healthy scratches appear to be Dalton Prout and Andrew Mangiapane, freshly recalled from Stockton.
The Flames weren’t good against Dallas. They were loose in the defensive zone (in a bad way) and really couldn’t generate much with their breakouts. It’s the type of “burn the tape” game that induced Bill Peters to mention post-game that they were fortunate to get a point. They’ll be better against the Kings, if only because in many aspects of their game “better” is the only direction they can go.
The biggest thing to improve? Their power play. They needed a lot more from them against Dallas and it could be huge in a game against a tired Kings team that lost 24 hours ago in Edmonton and will be trying to keep things tight-checking at even strength.
The Kings
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown
Clifford – Carter – Toffoli
Kovalchuk – Kempe – Luff
Wagner – Thompson – Rempal
Forbort – Doughty
Muzzin – Martinez
Phaneuf – Ladue
Since Jonathan Quick started in Edmonton, most likely backup Cal Petersen starts tonight. Last night’s healthy scratches were Oscar Fantenberg and Michael Amadio, and with Jon Rosen reporting that Ilya Kovalchuk is a no-go for tonight with an ankle injury we’ll likely see Amadio slot in. That’ll likely result in some shuffling of the bottom two forward lines.
The Kings are the worst team in the Pacific Garbage Patch. They have some serious issues with their roster construction and some cap problems, too. They played in Edmonton last night. This isn’t so much a game that the Flames should win as it is a game they need to win if they want to keep trending towards being a playoff team. Simply put: this is the type of game good teams find ways to win.
The Numbers
| CGY | LAK | |
| Wins | 14 | 9 |
| Points | 30 | 19 |
| Corsi Close | 55.0% | 48.4% |
| Power Play | 20.4% | 15.4% |
| Penalty Kill | 76.0% | 73.0% |
Injury Report
The Flames are without Juuso Valimaki, Michael Frolik and Michael Stone.
The Kings are without Gabe Vilardi, Jonny Brodzinski, Carl Hagelin, Jack Campbell and Trevor Lewis.
Season Series
This is the second of four meetings between the Flames and Kings this season. Calgary beat Los Angeles 1-0 back on Nov. 10 at Staples Center.
Know Thy Enemy
Your Kings Twitter follows for tonight:
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Were going to get bennet on a steel of a deal when he starts scoring 2 years from now , it’s coming tho you can see this kid growing
My biggest concern with Bennett is Hockey IQ. He has skills and grit but I often find myself questioning his decision making.
Josh Healey from Dillon Dube. Tied at 1
Duuby duuby doooo
My god score a goal already!
Thank you Johnny
What a difference this third period.
Sweet good for Johnny!
I like that Cassie isn’t afraid to call out the refs for their missed calls
Lines should be
johnny-monny- benny
Matty-lindohlm-neil
Mangi-back-janks or Ryan
Czar – janks or Ryan -hath
I could be down with these lines
Backs shouldn’t be the 2 c , hes good but lindholm and Matt could make a great pairing and benny might take off on that top line
I’d like to see Janks with some offensively talented wingers, as he has much more offensive upside than Backlund.
True but I do think lindholm could carry a line and I think janks would rely more on someone like lindholm to carry the play
Lomberg should be the 13th forward , you can’t not like how the plays
Backs 2 Dion 0 lol!
Take that WW! x2
F that guy
Nah … have fun with him!!
Monahan!
Can’t believe the people on here losing their minds on Smith when it was 1-1. Panic central.
Lol not loosing our minds bud , just keeping track of the stats , 1 goal on 14 shots , so 3 or for more shots for la and it was a times game
Holy , 3 or four , and it was a tie game
Smitty … .929 save percentage. Honestly … let’s not lose our minds.
Not a very exciting or inspiring game but two points vs a division opponent is always something to smile about !!
That second empty netter is just salt in the kings wounds
Spencer Fooooooooo. Heat up 2-1
Assist by duuby?
No. Taormina and Pollock
I love lamp…..I love Lomberg
Give me the top line we have now and then give me a team full of Sam Bennet’s, Hathaway’s and Lombergs and I will give you the cup 5 years in a row
Throw in a Backlund and a Tkachuk and we’re starting to talk. I’d like a James Neal who plays like a James Neal as well.
Watching Neal is starting to get seriously awkward
I will give him time and I seriously think Neal will produce and when we make the playoffs I will know why he is here. Even if it means giving him another year to produce
.