Preview: Calgary Flames vs LA Kings 11/30/18 (26/82): LA Gives Up Lots Of Goals When They Lose

Calgary Flames vs LA Kings, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 14-9-2 (30 pts) – LA Kings 9-15-1 (19 pts)

NHL Standings

Calgary’s quick pit stop at home concludes tonight as the LA Kings come to town for a Pacific Division battle. The Flames have won 4 out of their last 6 and are in first place in the Pacific….the exact opposite of LA. The Kings have struggled since game 1 and nothing has really changed. LA has dropped 4 out of their last 7, anchoring themselves in the basement of the Pacific.

These two last met up on November 10th with the Flames winning 1-0. Calgary had come into that game having scored 16 goals in their previous 4 wins, but they only managed 1 marker against an LA squad that had surrendered 37 goals on their previous 8 losses. Let that sink in for a few.

Since dropping that game to Calgary the Kings have given up 24 goals in their last 5 losses and the Flames have scored 22 goals in their last 5 wins. What does any of this mean? It means the Flames should be able to score at will according to the stat sheet, but as we saw last time these two teams collided, that didn’t happen. The Kings PK is hovering near the bottom of the league (73%, 29th), so the Calgary PP should have some opportunities to right themselves Friday night.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Smith (C)- 6-7-1, 3.29 GAA, .883 Save%

Kings: Petersen (E)- 4-3-0, 2.46 GAA, .927 Save%

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

LA Kings Coverage: Jewels From The Crown

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 Dallas Stars 4 (OT)

LA Kings 2 Edmonton Oilers 3

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano (D): 3G – 21A, 13 points in last 12 games

LA Kings

Anze Kopitar (C): 7G – 8A, 8 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson