FGD 76: Here come the Kings (7pm MT, SN West)

The local hockey team can get a step closer to clinching a division title tonight when they host the worst team in their conference.

The Calgary Flames (47-21-7, 101 points) welcome the Los Angeles Kings (27-39-8, 62 points) to the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames are the top team in the Western Conference, while the Kings are in the conference’s basement.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan. The Flames opened as a heavy (-465) favourite on Oddshark’s moneyline.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Mike Smith starts for the third consecutive game, backed up by David Rittich (who has been under the weather since the weekend, which explains three starts in a row for Smith). The scratches will be the typical crew of Dalton Prout, Oliver Kylington, Michael Stone and Alan Quine, while Sam Bennett remains sidelined with an upper body injury. Bennett would be playing if it were the playoffs, but the team wants to give him time to get up to 100%.

The Flames have won six of their last seven outings. They have a magic number of 4.5 to clinch Pacific Division/Western Conference top spot. They’ve gotten some help, by way of the Sharks losing games lately, but they’ve also taken care of their own business. If the Flames keep doing what they’ve been doing, they’ll get some favourable seeding in the post-season.

The top line has been a little bit quiet lately, but perhaps they’re due for a breakout.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Jack Campbell starts for the Kings, backed up by Jonathan Quick (who likely starts tomorrow against Edmonton). The projected extras are Mike Amadio, Paul Ladue and Ilya Kovalchuk (who’s not on the trip). Brendan Leipsic is currently on the shelf. The Kings are going with 11 forwards and seven defenders this evening.

The Kings are the worst team in the Western Conference (and second-worst in the entire NHL). They’ve been playing fairly well, though, with recent wins over San Jose and Anaheim. They’re a fairly flat team this season, but they’re still an NHL club and they’ve got nothing to lose other than draft positioning.

The Flames are without Sam Bennett.

The Kings are without Brendan Leipsic.

Tonight is the third of four meetings between Calgary and Los Angeles this season. So far, the Flames have won both match-ups. They’ll meet one more time on Apr. 1 at Staples Center to close out their series.

Your Kings Twitter follows for tonight:

From peewee to the pros, Albertans love the atmosphere, energy, and life lessons that take place at rinks across the province. And where there’s an arena, you’ll find an ATB branch nearby—with our team members cheering and fundraising along with you. See more information at ATB.com.