Los Angeles Kings Explode in Third Period – Beat Flames in a Must-Win Game
How ’bout that Yellow-Storm?
The Los Angeles Kings, wearing vintage yellow jerseys, had a monster third period en route to a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames.
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Tyler Toffoli opened the scoring, netting his 16th of the season in the first 3:16 of play. Toffoli was far from done.
Three-minutes into the second period the Flames scored two goals 32-seconds apart.
First Calgary’s David Jones scored on the power-play. Jones redirected a T.J. Brodie shot from the point past Jonathan Quick, who never saw the puck.
The second goal started a bit of a controversy. Flames forward Curtis Glencross skated into Quick in the crease, interfering with his ability to get to the puck. Mason Raymond was able to slap a rebound into the empty net. Quick was noticeably upset . . .
Impressive. It’s not easy to completely destroy a goalie stick like that. Especially one that’s composite. Love it. Love how Quick chucks the shaft at the end.
Toffoli appeared again, and tied the game with 16-seconds left in the second period. A shot from the point by Jake Muzzin was deflected by a Calgary player and landed right on Toffoli’s stick at the side of the net. Toffoli wasn’t done yet.
A minute into the third the Kings were working a cycle in the Flames zone. Toffoli got the puck to Jeff Carter at the bottom of the circle. Carter was patient and zipped a pass to Dwight King in the slot. King one-timed a shot that trickled between Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller’s left arm and his body.
Jordan Nolan scored next for the Kings, putting every Kings player with a 70’s number on the score-sheet. Nolan came blazing into the Kings zone and ripped an incredible slap-shot over Hiller’s shoulder. Hiller could only wave his glove hand, ‘bye-bye’, as the puck blew past.
It was Nolan’s 3rd goal of the season; his first since January 31st.
Just over a minute-and-a-half later Toffoli got the puck out at center, came in on a breakaway, and pulled a nasty fake shot-deke move backhanding the puck through Hiller’s legs.
Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings ice crew member picks up caps off the ice after a hat trick by center Tyler Toffoli (not pictured) against the Calgary Flames in the third period at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Flames 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
And the hats rained down onto the ice at Staples Center.
Jonas Hiller also left the game. Calgary put in goaltender Karri Ramo in relief.
Mason Raymond scored his second of the night with seven-minutes left in regulation to keep it close.
Calgary pulled Ramo with 2:50 left in the game. The Kings didn’t get a good shot at the empty net but they didn’t need one. Jonathan Quick made a couple big saves to seal the big win.
Tyler Toffoli recorded his first career hat-trick. Toffoli had a total of 4 points, and was named the game’s first star.
Jeff Carter had 3 assists on the night. Carter was flying all over the ice, making plays. Carter was named the second star of the game.
The Kings pounded the Flames, out-shooting Calgary 45-18. The Kings were 0-for-2 on the power-play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings former coach Barry Melrose is honored before the game against the Calgary Flames at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
As commentator Bob Miller said at the end of the game, this is the Kings first game win streak since November 15th, when they beat the Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes.
What a great way to honor former Kings head coach and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose. Melrose was honored as a Kings Legend before the game.
It sure looks like the Kings are back on track making their push to the playoffs!
L.A.’s next game is against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST at Staples Center.
Go Kings Go!
Keep wearing that Yellow!
Especially if you play like that.
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Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates after scoring against the Calgary Flames in the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports