Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Mason Raymond (21) celebrates with teammates Curtis Glencross (20) and defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Calgary Flames – April 9th:
This game IS a playoff game.
It’s not just a must win, it’s a defining win. If the Kings can beat the Flames in Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome it will send a message to the other teams, the NHL, the world, and more importantly the Kings that they are ready for a real run at a dynasty.
It’s going to be a brutal game.
L.A. will play their second last game against Calgary, and it comes at the end of a three-game road-trip. It will be the Kings 3rd game in 4 days.
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In four games this season the Kings are 1-1-2. Not very impressive.
The first three games, two of which took place in December were losses. Two of those games were also at Staples Center.
On December 22nd it was a 4-3 overtime win for Calgary at Staples. December 29th was a 2-1 loss in Calgary. January 19th was a combination of the first two losses: 2-1 in OT at Staples.
The good news is the Kings won the most recent game 5-3 at home.
Calgary is missing their captain and best defensemen Mark Giordano who is out for the season after requiring surgery for a torn bicep.
The bad news: Calgary’s final game is April 11th against the Winnipeg Jets. Just like the Canucks-Jets game, for the Kings, this is a lesser of the two evils. The Flames-Jets game has to end in regulation.
Calgary is ahead of the Kings in the Pacific Division by 3 points, with 91. The Kings have one-game in hand. It’s a race to 96.