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

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Spoiler!

Spoiler!

p.s. if anyone wants to add the Wideman reaction gif, now would be the time. I can't seem to find it anywhere.


Flames: 30-21-3, 63 points, 4th in the Pacific, 8th in the West, 15th in NHL.

Kings: 23-18-12, 58 points, 5th in the Pacific, 10th in the West, 19th in NHL.


Well that was short-lived. After 2 wonderful days sitting in 2nd in the Pacific, we experience some unfortunate OOT results we now sit 4th in the division. It’s ok though; another win tonight and we vault right back into 2nd. Unless one of these 3 teams goes on a prolonged winning or losing streak, we are going to have a heck of a finish between the Sharks, the Canucks, and us. It gets even more interesting because whoever is worst in that group has the possibility of being pushed out of the playoff picture by the surging Minnesota Wild, who currently sit just 4 points back of the 8th place team…namely the Calgary Flames. Oh, and 1 point behind the Wild, the L.A. Kings, our opponent tonight.

So, while this isn’t a “must-win” game (god I hate that phrase), it is pretty important, as all divisional games are. The good news in that regard is that the Flames own by far the best record against their division in the West at 17-4-1. The next closest in the West are the Predators at 13-4-3. By comparison, the Kings have an ok 7-3-6 record, but still have half their games to play against the division in the next couple of months. They aren’t entirely out of the equation, and they could win a lot of those divisional games and put themselves right back in the race, but to do so they’ll have to fix their road record. The King’s 16-6-6 home record is virtually wiped out by their woeful 7-12-6 road record, and that’s AFTER they managed 2 wins in a row to end their recent road trip. The Kings and Flames have very similar home goal totals, with both teams having 81 GF. The Kings have been particularly stingy at home, with just 63 GA compared to the Flames at 71. However, when they leave the Staples Center, something happens to them. Their offense dries up, scoring just 62 goals on the road, and they become much more porous defensively, giving up 74 GA. Conversely, while the Flames don’t score quite as much on the road with 72 GF, they do manage to shut teams down with just 65 GA. Just looking at the numbers, the Kings should win against the Flames in their own building, but that hasn’t been the case this year. The Flames are a perfect 3-0-0 against the Kings this year, including 2-0-0 at the Staples Center, but both wins were the result of an OT winner. It still counts though, and the Flames have already won another divisional matchup this year against a challenging opponent, so whatever happens tonight is gravy.

For the Flames, they’re starting to figure out how to win, and that is evidenced by the improvement to parts of their game that were lackluster for most of the year. The penalty kill has been pretty solid lately, pushing their percentage to 78.9%, which is roughly 2.5% higher than just a week or two ago. Interestingly, the Kings own a worse PK operating at 78.2%. Part of that improved PK has been the strong play of Hiller, who is really rounding into legit #1 starter form allowing 2.00 GAA over his last 5 games with a Sv% of .912. That's including 4 goals against and a .833 Sv% against Pittsburgh, so when he doesn't play against Sidney Crosby he's been lights out. The power play is slowly pulling out of a funk, climbing back to 20th in the league at 17.3%, but still has a long way to go to get back to over 20%, which is where they were at for nearly the first half of the season.

Improvement to the special teams, added to their already strong 5 on 5 play, consistent goaltending, high work ethic, leadership, strong coaching, and the ability to stay positive in the most trying of circumstances: These are all traits of not only a playoff team, but a team that could really make some noise in the playoffs. So for all the tension due to the placement in the standings, I'm not worried at all, and I'm actually genuinely excited for the second season. Tonight should be a tough battle again with a playoff atmosphere, but so far in those types of games the Flames have responded favorably. As long as they show up and battle tonight, I could care less about the outcome.


Roster Notes: Bollig and Byron are both healthy enough to play, but odds are that only one will return to the lineup. Tough to say which at this point, but if the Flames sit Wolf it will likely be Bollig purely for his size and ability to fight. Still no timeline on Smid's return, so defense should be the same. The Kings lost Martinez to a concussion recently, and will be out while they follow concussion protocol. Tanner Pearson is still out with a leg injury suffered a month ago.


Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Glencross-Stajan-Raymond
Bollig-Jooris-Colborne

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Diaz-Engelland

Hiller


Kings
Gaborik-Kopitar-Lewis
King-Carter-Toffoli
Brown-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Andreoff-Nolan

Regehr-Doughty
Muzzin-Greene
McNabb-McBain

Quick





Go Flames Go!!!

[ChuckieNZ]

It was in the PGT from the last game... here it is CFF.

Another big 4 point game, Go Flames Go!

[skudr248]

Feeling good about this one

[foshizzle11]

Thanks Cali for another awesome write up.

Anyone know of a good place to watch the Flames game in Fernie??

[Poe969]

I've been doing well with my predictions lately. Flames come out strong in the first and finish stronger in the third.

6-2 Flames.

[Vansmack]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

Thanks Cali for another awesome write up.

Anyone know of a good place to watch the Flames game in Fernie??

Boston Pizza might be your best bet.

[You Need a Thneed]

6-4 Flames.

Flames overcome a 4-0 deficit with 10 minutes to play.

[Street Pharmacist]

I know you don't seem to be too concerned the outcome, but if we lose this one then Saturday's game against the Canucks could very well be too determine who's sitting outside the playoffs and who's in. That's a bit frightening considering how well the flames have played

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

6-4 Flames.

Flames overcome a 4-0 deficit with 10 minutes to play.

While that would be amazing to watch, I really don't think my heart could take it if that happened.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

While that would be amazing to watch, I really don't think my heart could take it if that happened.

Yeah, I'm with Cali on this one. I would rather the Flames get the lead and keep it all game.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I know you don't seem to be too concerned the outcome, but if we lose this one then Saturday's game against the Canucks could very well be too determine who's sitting outside the playoffs and who's in. That's a bit frightening considering how well the flames have played

I understand the reality of the situation, but I am also recognizing the way they are trending, and I just don't think they will fall apart so badly to lose a lot down the stretch.

[Street Pharmacist]

From sportsclubstats, if the flames win and a perfect OOT (MIN, WPG, COL lose) the flames go from 84.1% to 90.9%. A loss coupled with a terrible OOT leaves the flames at 77.4%

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

Thanks Cali for another awesome write up.

Anyone know of a good place to watch the Flames game in Fernie??

I think Fernie will be regional blackout (3 hours from Cgy and 12 from Van does not make sense but it is BC). So u will have to find a pub Boston Pizza etc with Center Ice.

[heep223]

Love that last pic...coaching staff ecstatic and the Ducks fan in the background cheering the Flames win. GFG

[Stray]

Awesome write-up!

Feeling good about this one, after the performance in San Jose. I suspect the Kings are going to play hard tonight, but the Flames weathered the storm admirably last go around.

[Otto-matic]

Kings will be going Retro tonight as well.

[Gaskal]

Wow that is disgusting. LA Lakers garb.

[heep223]

It feels like we have too many forwards. Colborne on the 4th line?

It's fantastic to have depth but that is ridiculous! I like the fact that we can roll 4 lines though.

[Vinny01]

I love how huge every game is. We haven't had this feeling in a couple years and it has been a long while since we were clothe hinted rather than the team in 9th-10th chasing the top 8.

We have had the Kings number during the rebuild and I hope it continues.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Kings will be going Retro tonight as well.

Thank God, nothing worse than having to look at those terrible boring black and white ones they normally wear.

I say Flames win it 3-2.