[GDT] Flames vs. Kings. 8:30 pm, SW, FS-W

[Puppet Guy]

From http://flames.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/...?id=2015021160:

Season series: The Los Angeles Kings have won their first two games against the Calgary Flames. Jonathan Quick made 23 saves in a 4-1 victory at Scotiabank Saddledome on New Year's Eve, and Anze Kopitar's second-period power-play goal was the difference in a 2-1 victory at Staples Center on Feb. 23.

Flames team scope: Calgary will try to recover after its worst defensive effort of the season, an 8-3 loss at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Starting goaltender Jonas Hiller allowed three goals on five shots before being pulled, and Niklas Backstrom surrendered five more on 22 shots. "You give them a few freebies from the start, and you know it's going to be a long game. Our goalies had a tough night," coach Bob Hartley said. Defenceman TJ Brodie, who had one of Calgary's three goals in the second period, said the Flames can't spend time worrying about the loss. "It's definitely frustrating," he said, "but at the same time you can't dwell on it. You've got to put it in the past and move on. Tomorrow is another day."


Kings team scope: Los Angeles will try to move back into first place in the Pacific Division after being passed by the Ducks. The Kings had two days off after a 5-2 road loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. This is their 10th game in 18 days. "We've had a good month," coach Darryl Sutter told LA Kings Insider after practice Wednesday. "Trying to finish it off [Thursday]. We've played really well." Injured forward Marian Gaborik (knee) skated at practice, but Sutter said he might not be back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. "There's no way a player, unless he can play regular-season games, I have no interest playing him in the playoffs," he said. The Kings are still without Kris Versteeg, who was brought in to help replace Gaborik's scoring but has been out since March 19 with an injured left foot. He skated Wednesday but said he isn't sure when he'll be back.

Projected lines, courtesy of the Herald:

FLAMES

Hunter Shinkaruk-Sean Monahan-Derek Grant
Micheal Ferland-Sam Bennett-Joe Colborne
Lance Bouma-Mikael Backlund-Emile Poirier
Brandon Bollig-Matt Stajan-Josh Jooris

Defence pairings
TJ Brodie-Dougie Hamilton
Mark Giordano-Deryk Engelland
Jyrki Jokipakka-Jakub Nakladal

Goalies
Joni Ortio
Jonas Hiller
Niklas Backstrom

KINGS

Tanner Pearson-Anze Kopitar-Dustin Brown
Milan Lucic-Jeff Carter-Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King-Vincent Lecavalier-Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford-Nic Dowd-Andy Andreoff

Defence pairings
Brayden McNabb-Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin-Alec Martinez
Rob Scuderi-Luke Schenn

Goalies
Jonathan Quick
Jhonas Enroth


...to wash away the stink of last night's horror-show, Our Hero, in the midst of an epic Screech-bender, sought solace in his classic Rush albums. And did he find inspiration for tonight:

Spoiler!

Go Flames

[Otto-matic]

I woulnd't mind seeing some regicide tonight, especially after last night.

[nik-]

meh ... I give up. There's 5 games left, lets get into a better draft slot.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The disembodied faces and the Burger King guy with the blacked out eyes are especially creepy.

I don't know whether to hit the "Thanks" button or call the cops on you.

[Huntingwhale]

Christ, 830 pm start. Wtf. Kings games are usually entertaining. But why oh why must the Flames cater to eastern teams when it comes to start times, but the California teams never do it for us? Do Leafs and Habs games vs LA always start this late for them too?

/old man rant

[Vinny01]

Hate the 8:30 weekday games likely will be sleeping on the couch by the end of it.

I hope the young and core players out up points but have no problem taking the loss

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Christ, 830 pm start. Wtf. Kings games are usually entertaining. But why oh why must the Flames cater to eastern teams when it comes to start times, but the California teams never do it for us? Do Leafs and Habs games vs LA always start this late for them too?

/old man rant

uhh, The vast vast majority of home games start either at 7 or 7:30

[Samiz]

At this point, I don't really mind losses but please please please not another blowout. I want a close entertaining game. I want to see the team respond after a nightmare game. Win or loss, doesn't matter, just please play a game that isn't over after the first 10 minutes

[Galakanokis]

Another game already? I think I will drink for this one.

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Another game already? I think I will drink for this one.

I'll bring my fishbowl.

Spoiler!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Christ, 830 pm start. Wtf. Kings games are usually entertaining. But why oh why must the Flames cater to eastern teams when it comes to start times, but the California teams never do it for us? Do Leafs and Habs games vs LA always start this late for them too?

/old man rant

Some of us never watch a Flames game before 9 pm.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by nik-

uhh, The vast vast majority of home games start either at 7 or 7:30

What I meant was if the Leafs or Habs are playing in Los Angeles, do the games start at 730pm Pacific time, therefore 1030pm Eastern? Or do they start a bit earlier so that Eastern people aren't in bed by then? I know when the Leafs come to Calgary, it might have a 6pm GMT start so that it's not too late out east.

Again, old man ranting here.

[J79]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Some of us never watch a Flames game before 9 pm.

And some of us watch the first period at 5:30 am before going to work, watch the second period in the bus to work, and then watch the third period at work without sound and only if the boss isn't looking :-)

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

What I meant was if the Leafs or Habs are playing in Los Angeles, do the games start at 730pm Pacific time, therefore 1030pm Eastern? Or do they start a bit earlier so that Eastern people aren't in bed by then? I know when the Leafs come to Calgary, it might have a 6pm GMT start so that it's not too late out east.

Again, old man ranting here.

Actually when Toronto plays in Vancouver (usually on Saturdays) they do start the games around 4:00 PST so people out east can see the Leafs during prime time.

As for tonight's game. Flames bounce back. Playing for pride. Take this 4-3.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

What I meant was if the Leafs or Habs are playing in Los Angeles, do the games start at 730pm Pacific time, therefore 1030pm Eastern? Or do they start a bit earlier so that Eastern people aren't in bed by then? I know when the Leafs come to Calgary, it might have a 6pm GMT start so that it's not too late out east.

Again, old man ranting here.

If Habs or Leafs are playing during the week in California, those games are 100 percent at 7 or 730pm Local time in Cali. Here's the Leafs recent games in Cali and it shows the late start times in EST.


WED, 6 JAN 2016 MAPLE LEAFS DUCKS
10:00 PM FINAL TOR (4) - ANA (0) RECAP
THU, 7 JAN 2016 MAPLE LEAFS KINGS
10:30 PM FINAL TOR (1) - LAK (2)


If they're on a Saturday, there's a chance of an earlier start, but not a guarantee.

[Benched]

Need Quick to lose badly. GFG!

[Poe969]

hopefully some guys on the team can tell Lucic how great of a team the Flames really is and that they're just missing a few key pieces and that Lucic would be a great fit with the Flames.

[PeteMoss]

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions 2m2 minutes ago Los Angeles, CA
Joni Ortio plays tonight for #Flames vs #Kings .. Has been brilliant in previous appearances at Staples Center.

[Fire]

It would be nice to see Derek Grant get his first NHL goal. 36 games and counting so far.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Benched

Need Quick to lose badly. GFG!

I just want to see him throw a temper tantrum again.