[PGT] Kings win 5-3 BOOOOO

[GranteedEV]

^ We need a big, physical, skilled dman in the second defensive unit beside Russell who can hit and clear the zone. I don't know who is that guy but Wideman is certainly not. Out of our prospects Rafikov is the most likely to fill that role, but he's still 19.

[Rick M.]

As the playoffs approach, the officials generally permit more obstruction. That will hamper the Flames' game unless they learn to adjust.

[blender]

One thing I noticed was that the Kings refused to back off of the Flames speed which ended up preventing Calgary's transition game through the neutral zone. The obstruction/interference helps, but as stated above, this will continue on a thts time of year.

Good coaching job by Sutter to have his guys ready to play and with a plan.
That LA team wins 8 of ten against any team in the league last night IMO.

[Resolute 14]

Yup. Pittsburgh was also interfering with the Flames so much that even the Yzerman era Red Wings would have been amazed at the lack of calls. Gotta fight through it. Gotta adjust.

[Huntingwhale]

Games like this are why I think the Kings will still make it. They played pedal to the metal all night and completely dominated us for most of the game. I'm honestly expecting them to turn on the magical switch and go on some 11-1 run to end the season and storm right in. It's gonna happen.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

On the bright side, there's only been 3-4 games this season where we've been completely outplayed like last night..

We needed Wolf in the lineup, as the tone was set very early in the game. L.A was flying and finishing every check. Johnny looked scared to touch the puck for the first half of the game as a result.

[JJ1532]

To be honest, the Kings were kinda due one. We robbed them blind in the first game and this evened things up to be honest. There were some positives in my mind. We are now sitting at 16 straight penalty kills, which is pretty good given our PK problems all season. Got another PP goal, which is pretty good given our PP problems all season. We scored 3 in 18 shots on Quick and whilst I know he isn't in great form of late, thats still an excellent shots to goals ratio. We took our chances at one end, but the defence(cough, top 4, cough) had shockers and Hiller seemed to fall apart a bit after the 3rd went in. He should never give up the Nolan 4th and he was fooled a bit too easily on Toffoli's hat trick goal.

Got to move on and focus on this huge 4 game home stand.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You can't point at two players last night to pin the blame. Giordano and Wideman were just awful as well. Wideman turned over the puck so many times in the defensive zone I lost count. Gadreau and Backlund were both handling the puck like it was a hand grenade at times. It was a total team failure as they simply didn't come to play and it was apparent from the opening faceoff that the Kings wanted this game much more than the Flames did.

This happens in an 82 game season but that's two total stinkers in the last three games so there should be concern especially given the next opponent totally owns the Flames. I almost cringe at how the Flames are going to make the Sedins look like they are 27 again with fresh legs as they always seem to do when the two teams meet.

I thought Backlund was one of the best if not the best Flames skater last night. Agree re: Gaudreau, Wideman and Gio tho.

[Ben_in_Canada]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

We needed Wolf in the lineup, as the tone was set very early in the game. L.A was flying and finishing every check. Johnny looked scared to touch the puck for the first half of the game as a result.

THIS.
The Bollig fight came right after Johnny got absolutely manhandled in the corner, pity he didn't fight the guy who did it as that may have sent a better message. The number of cheap shots Johnny has been taking with his team mates just skating away is embarrassing.

[DoubleK]

That 70's line v2 tho....

Might want to keep an eye on that Toffoli kid when he's on the ice.

[calumniate]

I've always liked Dwight King as your typical underdog. But man why'd he have to play so good against us?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by calumniate

I've always liked Dwight King as your typical underdog. But man why'd he have to play so good against us?

He was really good last night wasn't he. He was arguably one of the biggest reason that line dominated last night as he seemed to be all around the puck and all over defenders in the Flames zone. The Kings played like it was game seven of a playoff series and while they struggle to maintain that over an 82 game season you can see why they have won a couple of cups as when they are playing 100% they are dominant. I just wish the Flames had some push back as much like against the Ducks they seem to just accept their fate rather than try and push back with their transition game.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He was really good last night wasn't he. He was arguably one of the biggest reason that line dominated last night as he seemed to be all around the puck and all over defenders in the Flames zone. The Kings played like it was game seven of a playoff series and while they struggle to maintain that over an 82 game season you can see why they have won a couple of cups as when they are playing 100% they are dominant. I just wish the Flames had some push back as much like against the Ducks they seem to just accept their fate rather than try and push back with their transition game.

In game play is so much about confidence and LA may destroyed them. They had no answer

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Flames lose their first really meaningful game in a weeks. For now, no big deal, nothing to see here, can't win them all, other clichés and such.

[Gaskal]

Post loss hangover really blows.

[Firebot]

The Kings were unravelling badly in the 2nd period. Had Monahan scored from the slot instead of shot wide, the result would have been very different and we'd all be celebrating a 4-2 type game in a game that would have been stolen away.

That 2nd goal at the end of the 2nd period was a killer. The Flames have a bad habit of letting up near the end of a period. This is the 2nd game in a row that a late period goal is scored, and there were many close calls in the past few weeks.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Can the Flames honestly defend a 3 point lead on these guys the rest of the way? Better focus on SJ and Vancouver and finish better than both

Yes we can. LA isn't that good. Dozens of blatant missed calls then weak calls against us, LA won't get that officiating outside of California. Just look at their home and away record, they bitch, moan, hook and interfere themselves to victory. I bet they miss the playoffs.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

Whichever line that went up against Toffoli's was terrible.

Assuming that was Stajan/Glenx. They sure stepped up and showed their defensive veteran prowess out there, ah.

It was pretty much Monahan's line against Toffoli's line, especially when the goals were scored. This seemed to be the matchup Sutter wanted.

IMO, the Glencross/Stajan/Raymond line was actually the most consistent with respect to effort and keeping the puck in the Kings' end. I think this was partly because the Monahan and Backlund lines had their hands full.

Stajan, aside from one bad pass (resulting in no bad results), played a pretty strong game, including his assist on the Raymond goal. Raymond had his two goals (albeit one playing with Gaudreau for some reason). Glencross played fairly well and wasn't as behind the play as last game, and his bump through the crease helped out on the goal (I actually think it still goes in).

Someone asked about Colborne's TOI and I tend to think it was only a function of him having to centre the 4th line. I thought he played pretty well in the offensive zone. I think Stajan is a better 4th line centre, and maybe Colborne should have been between Glencross and Raymond (not that Stajan did a bad job there - I just think he helps Bollig more).

LA was desperate. It's actually a bit crazy to think Calgary should sweep any team, let alone the KIngs, and in their own building to boot.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

LA was desperate.

I had two key takeaways from this game

1) Going forward the Russell/Wideman pairing needs to be split up. To do so they need someeone to take Wideman's spot. The two players just don't complement each other.
2) LA needed this game more than Calgary did. Reminds me of how desperate Calgary was VS LA in December, only now the tables were turned right down to which team choked a lead spurned by a late 2nd period goal.

[troutman]

Just one game. CGY is 3-1 vs LA this year.