FGD #78: Taking on the Kings

It’s the second of a back-to-back with no actual travel required. The Honda Center and Staples Center are only an hour apart, so the distance isn’t what’s feared when teams roll into southern California for two quick games.

No, it’s the fact that both the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are, well, good. The Flames found that out last night, getting crushed 8-3 in Anaheim. What fate does Los Angeles have in store for them? Well, they just lost their spot at the top of the Pacific standings, and probably want to get it back…

And with an 8:30 p.m. puck drop, it’s gonna be a long night, probably.

Here are the expected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Will these be the actual lines? I do not know; alas, the problem with really late games on back-to-backs. This space will be updated accordingly should it be necessary. There is a chance Johnny Gaudreau and Jyrki Jokipakka could both return to the lineup, which would definitely see Brett Kulak out, and likely Emile Poirier, as well.

We do know for sure, however, that it is Joni Ortio getting the start. He had the night off as the Flames got throttled to the tune of eight goals against, so at least you know he’ll be fresh and ready.

Meanwhile, Micheal Ferland and Sam Bennett appear to be building chemistry, Poirier is getting the Mikael Backlund bump, and Hunter Shinkaruk is being put in a position to succeed and he’s running away with it.

UPDATE: Nobody knows!

Okay, I’m gonna play guessing game here. Say they’re both in the lineup, then that sees Jokipakka join Nakladal on the bottom pairing. Easy swap.

With Gaudreau presumably back, it’s probably Poirier who heads back to Stockton. Gaudreau bumps Derek Grant, who shuffles on over to play alongside Backlund, I would presume, leaving two other lines untouched and the excitement a Gaudreau – Monahan – Shinkaruk line could bring intact.

Really, that’s what I’d be looking forward to the most. A possibly realistic solution to the lack-of-top-six-forwards problem? Yay!

And once again, via Daily Faceoff:

We do not know who will be starting for the Kings tonight. It could be Jonathan Quick, their regular starter, he who has played 63 games already this season and has a .918 save percentage to show for it. 

Or it could be backup Jhonas Enroth, who will be a free agent next season, hint, hint, if you want to get a head start on watching some potential futue options. Enroth has played just 15 games this year, but he’s got a .928 save percentage, which is pretty swell. He’s played starter before, too, albeit with the Buffalo Sabres. And his numbers have never been so high before – though playing behind the Kings, who are really rather good, probably has a lot to do with that.

Feb. 23, 2016. The Flames were on another southern California road trip, although then they had a day off. After getting throttled 5-2 by the Ducks, the Flames went north a touch and lost 2-1 to the Kings. It sounds close, but they were also outshot 37-23, so… not really?

They also played one another on Dec. 31, 2015. The Kings won 4-1. This follows up the Flames winning the season series 4-1 over the Kings in 2014-15. Sad.

Last night’s loss didn’t do anything in the main picture; the Flames remain stuck in the sixth slot, but just three points up on last place Edmonton (and Toronto and Vancouver, albeit in fewer games played). 

If you’re looking at the out of town scoreboard, you’re cheering for the Leafs to beat the Sabres in overtime tonight, the Coyotes to beat the Stars, and the Canucks to beat the Sharks.

The Ducks leapfrogged the Kings for the Pacific crown when they beat the Flames last night. The Kings will probably want to return the favour. The Flames are an inferior team with nothing meaningful left to play for. On the second of a back-to-back. Ruh roh?