[GDT] Flames @ Kings, 8:30 pm, SN

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Flames: 24-18-3, 4th in the Pacific, 8th in the West, 16th in NHL

Kings: 20-14-11, 5th in the Pacific, 9th in the West, 17th in NHL


A 3 game road winning streak, that's just what the doctor ordered after a 3 game home losing streak. The Flames have put themselves back in the mix with some gutsy wins in tough buildings, led by Joni Ortio's strong play. Part of that has been an improvement in production from Sean Monahan, with 3 points in his last 2 games, including an overtime winner against San Jose. The 20 year old also went over 60% in the face-off circle against some tough centers. Not to be overlooked, Giordano also has 3 points in his last 2 games, including the play to set up Monahan's OT winner. He's also +4 over his last 2 games, possibly rounding back into his form from earlier this year when he was the hands down favorite to win the Norris. So far this year, Giordano has 39 points in 45 games, and is an exceptional +20. He leads the league in points by a defenseman, and his +/- is second only to TJ Brodie's +22. Those numbers are even more gaudy when you consider that the entire team's goal differential is just +13. Even though they haven't been as dominant of late, this is still easily the best defense pairing in the NHL, and the Flames will need to ride them a lot the rest of the year to make the playoffs. That's just the reality of it.

Not to be forgotten is Mikael Backlund, who continued his hot streak with another assist last game, giving him 7 points in his first 5 games back from injury. David Jones has been playing well too, as he had his 5 points in 4 games point streak snapped last night against San Jose. I should mention that I felt the line of Raymond-Granlund-Colborne had a very strong game and drove much of the play for the Flames. Their timing couldn't have been better, as both Hudler and Gaudreau have cooled off of late. Hudler has 2 points in his last 5 games, as does Gaudreau. Not awful numbers, but when you consider the pace these two were scoring at earlier, it's definitely below par.

Last time we checked on the Kings, the top line of Gaborik-Kopitar-Carter was crazy hot, averaging nearly 2 points a game for an extended length of time, mostly due to a power play that was the hottest in the league. Since playing the Flames last, Kopitar has continued his torrid pace, only having 2 scoreless games in the last 8, and putting up 10 points, but a surprisingly poor +3 in that span. Gaborik has continued to score as well, with 9 points in his last 8 games, but a disappointing -1. Carter's pace has fallen off a little with 4 points in his last 8 games, and a -3. Drew Doughty has picked it up offensively as well with 7 points in the last 8 games, but also a poor -1. This is largely due to poor 5 on 5 play, and a defensive game that has lost it's precision. If you take out the shutout of the Maple Leafs, the Kings have given up 29 goals in 7 games, averaging 4.14 GA/G. That's ugly. The power play has dried up to, going just 3 for 22 in their past 6 games, at 13.6%. This has resulted in a tumble in the standings, leaving the Kings just outside the playoff picture behind the Flames.

This all bodes well for Calgary, but we have all seen this Kings team play possum in years past and kick it into high gear at a moment's notice. To think that tonight will be easy for the Flames is foolish. This is still a big team that plays a hard nosed game and causes problems for many teams. The Flames will have to be very strong at puck management in their own zone, and then orchestrate a quick strike counter-attack to take advantage of the Kings defense which has had struggles of late. Also, looking at the Kings poor PK (77.9%, 25th in NHL), maybe this is the game that the Flames PP gets going again. One can only hope.

Roster Notes: Jooris and Ramo are back skating with the main group, but no word on when they will come off IR. Glencross is listed as day-to-day, but it might really be week-to-week. Shore is likely to be a healthy scratch again, as he builds his conditioning up and learns the Flames system. The Kings are missing some key contributors. Backup Martin Jones is out with a back injury, Tyler Toffoli is questionable after recovering from an illness, Tanner Pearson is out with a leg injury, and Robyn Regehr has been out for some time with a hand injury. Nick Shore is slated to play tonight, but it's doubtful he will get the opportunity to play against his brother Drew.


Flames
Bouma-Monahan-Jones
Gaudreau-Backlund-Hudler
Raymond-Granlund-Colborne
Bollig-Stajan-Byron

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Engelland

Ortio


Kings
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
King-Carter-Shore
Brown-Stoll-Lewis
Clifford-Richards-Nolan

Muzzin-Doughty
McNabb-Greene
Schultz-Martinez

Quick




Go Flames Go!!!

[keenan87]

Hoping for the win streak to continue here!

[sureLoss]

Flames won't have a morning skate today per Wills. If the lines change from yesterday's practice, we likely won't know until warmups

[Huntingwhale]

I don't see us beating Anaheim in their own home, so we need this win tonight. In a bad way. Common boys, you can do it!

[Locke]

Win this in regulation. Lets go.

[Poe969]

With Ortio in net, anyone seems beatable.

3-0 Flames.

[locsofblu]

Great write up. We all knew that Brodie and Gio were both having spectacular years. Hmmmmm is it crazy to think that this tandem can be as good as Macinnis and Suter for years to come. Obviously we need to improve our pp numbers for that to happen though. Go Flames Go! We continue the win streak with a 2-1 win.
.

[Mike F]

The Flames must find a way to get their powerplay going if they hope to have a chance at the playoffs. Tonight would be a great chance to kickstart it, going up against the 25th ranked PK, which has surrendered PP goals in 5 of their last 6 games.

Win tonight, and the trip to Anaheim is a pure gravy game.

[Scoutski]

Always a good game, I think we'll see a 2-1 scoreline, hoping that Backlund keeps his streak alive tonight!

[Burner]

i wish that McGrattan was in the lineup today and that he would go after the first guy that targets Gaudreau. Last games the slashes and crosschecks to the back were getting out of control and I can only imagine they will be worse this game after they were embarrassed by him.

Either that Bollig should earn his pay tonight....

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Burner

i wish that McGrattan was in the lineup today and that he would go after the first guy that targets Gaudreau. Last games the slashes and crosschecks to the back were getting out of control and I can only imagine they will be worse this game after they were embarrassed by him.

Either that Bollig should earn his pay tonight....

I generally agree with this line of thinking. However it's a fine line because part of our success has been staying out of the penalty box.

[Enoch Root]

A regulation win tonight would mean that we hit the all-star break in a playoff spot, regardless of what else happens.

Come on boys, keep the Ortio magic going!

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Big factor with LA is how good they are at home and how poor/mediocre they are on the road. This will be a tough test.

[Enoch Root]

The Kings have played 26 home games and 19 road games.

If the Flames can win tonight, they'll not only be ahead of LA, but the Kings will only have 14 home games remaining, along with 22 road games.

(Conversely, the Flames will have 19 home games and 17 road games)

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Big factor with LA is how good they are at home and how poor/mediocre they are on the road. This will be a tough test.

Somehow, the Flames have won their last 3 games in LA

[Five-hole]

I don't have the stats to back it up, but I feel like we've been good against LA in recent years despite being overall a bad team. Let's hope the "good against LA" part continues tonight!

Right now, if the Flames are to make the playoffs, it looks like LA is the team most likely to miss. Tonight's importance can't be overstated.

[tvp2003]

If Ortio wins, it sets up the ultimate challenge -- something Turku Goaliebot 1.0 never accomplished in a Flames uniform -- getting a regular season road win in Anaheim.

I really hope Ortio wins

[Vinny01]

LA is going to want this one badly but the Flames have played them well the last 2 seasons. If Ortio stands on his head we will win

[White Out 403]

regulation plz.

[868904]

Interesting that Ortio will face the man who drafted him tonight. Although I doubt Sutter had any real input in it other than talking to the scouts and Kipper.