I think we can all admit the Kings were due.
Handed three straight defeats in games against the Calgary Flames this season, some by comeback, some getting out played, all with a lot of implications in the ever tightening Western Conference playoff derby.
Tonight, the Flames found their luck had run out as the Kings steamrolled them to the tune of a 5-3 victory, moving to within three points of the Flames in the standings.
The silver lining for the Flames is a .500 record in two huge games on a two game California mini trip, following up a solid home stand. Big game against Vancouver on Saturday huh?
The Flow
As expected the Kings came out raging, as they often do on home ice and were certainly expected to do in a game that they really need to win. Some chances early but Hiller holds the fort keeping things tied up in the game’s first few moments. The Kings hit the scoresheet first when the revamped 70s line take advantage of a Monahan line turnover to orchestrate a three on two into a Tyler Toffoli marker. Calgary gets their legs and has a few chances, but most hit legs or were steered aside by Quick. The Flames best line in the period was the Backlund/Bouma/Jones line, as the others were skating in sand.
Jonas Hiller continues to be the difference early in the second as he turns away more King’s chances as the Flames are really doing little but collapsing down low and hoping to wait out the storm. Then a silly slashing/interference penalty by King’s captain Dustin Brown results in a crazy sequence that winds up with a 2-1 Flames lead. First Johnny Gaudreau turns the puck over and Hiller is forced to stop Carter on a breakaway, but moments later its a David Jone’s tip to tie things up. Off the face off Calgary takes it back in and Raymond beats Quick to make it 2-1 Calgary, leading to the King goaltender snapping over Glencross bumping him, earning a 2 minute minor of his own. From there Calgary carries the play for a half dozen minutes before the Kings finally wrestle away control again. Calgary and Hiller hold on, but the Kings tie things up when Toffoli scores his second late to tie it up. Heading to the third all tied up a two.
The Flames walked smack dab into a nightmare in the third period at the Staple Center. They followed up their late surrender in the second with an early goal in the third, and from there things continued to fall apart. The Kings add two more before the Flames window dress the final with a late goal and go on to defeat.
Three Stars
1.Tyler Toffoli: Easy equation, score three times and add an assist and you get first star nods.
2.Jeff Carter: Carter came ready to play tonight, notching three assists but somehow not scoring himself despite about a half dozen blue chip scoring chances.
3.Dwight King: Third member of the trio scores once and adds an assist.
Big Save
Hiller made a lot of gems, but hard to argue with his breakaway stop on Jeff Carter in the second period when the King’s center broke in on a Flame’s powerplay.
The Goat
Jiri Hudler or Mark Giordano. Minus two and three respectively, which as veterans is unacceptable given the importance of the game. Giordano made too many unforced giveaways and Hudler handled the puck like a hand grenade all night. The Monahan line was jittery to a man to be honest.
Mr. Clutch
Oddly enough, Calgary’s third defense pairing. Engellend and Diaz were the team’s only plus players on the night, pulling down roughly 13 minutes each of ice time.
Odds and Ends
If I’m Jonathan Quick or his agent I’m suing the LA off ice officials for their shot clock counting. Last time the Flames played in LA the shot clock count was very oddly padded to the Kings favour and tonight might have been the same. Hard to build a good save percentage if you have to stop two for every one you get credit for! Honestly not doubting who the better team was tonight, but with the way shots and hits are handed out in Los Angeles it really shines a light on why the NHL is looking at better ways of recording shots. LA first in possession? How can they not be? Nobody is suggesting the shot count was close tonight in reality, but given the tally count from some Calgarypuck guys last time they visited, I’m suspicious. … Speaking of Quick, what a hot head. The bump and then snap thing we’ve seen, but he swung his stick not once but twice, finally breaking it. Then later he slashed Giordano after he went crashing into the boards which was odd. ….. Good to see Johnny Gaudreau muscle Doughty off the puck and feed Monahan for a great chance in the second, he was struggling with the puck hugely in the game’s first 25 or so minutes including a gaff that led to a Carter breakaway. He’s seemed more jittery of late. … Not a big fan of Mason Raymond’s play thus far in Calgary, but 11 goals in 33 games is certainly the production rate the Flames signed up for when they gave him a three year deal. Have to admit though, he and Backlund have certainly bolstered the team’s second powerplay unit. …
Next Up
The Flames return to Calgary to take on arch rival Vancouver on Saturday night, another huge game in the Pacific/Wild Card playoff race. Game time 8pm, Sportsnet.
Lines:
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Brandon Bollig – Joe Colborne – Paul Byron
Curtis Glencross – Matt Stajan – Mason Raymond
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland – Rapha Diaz
Jonas Hiller
