Flames riding a five-game losing skid that has sunk them down the league standings
Calgary Flames (33-34-5, 71 points) versus Los Angeles Kings (38-23-11, 87 points)
The countdown is on from 10. As in 10 games remaining for the Calgary Flames this season. Technically, the Flames are still alive for a playoff spot, but they would need to run the table starting with tonight’s clash against the Kings and Los Angeles — which holds the second and final Western Conference wild-card spot — must earn three or fewer points. Not going to happen.
The Flames have a far better chance of selecting in the top 10 of the draft for the first time since 2016. They are down to 25th overall, two points behind the Seattle Kraken and only three points ahead of the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, with the Arizona Coyotes four points in arrears.
The Kings had a four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday in Edmonton with a 4-1 loss. The Flames and Kings have split the season series so far with one win apiece, and the home team winning both matches. The Flames claimed a 4-3 victory over the Kings last month. They meet one last time in Los Angeles on April 11.
Calgary
Forwards:
Connor Zary-Yegor Sharangovich-Matt Coronato
Andrei Kuzmenko-Nazem Kadri-Martin Pospisil
Jonathan Huberdeau-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
A.J. Greer-Kevin Rooney-Dryden Hunt
Extra: Walker Duehr
Defence:
Joel Hanley-Rasmus Andersson
MacKenzie Weegar-Daniil Miromanov
Oliver Kylington-Brayden Pachal
Extras: Dennis Gilbert, Nikita Okhotiuk
Goal:
Jacob Markstrom
Dustin Wolf
Markstrom has an 11-5-4 career mark against Los Angeles with a 2.86 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Wolf has never faced the Kings.
Los Angeles
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala-Phillip Danault-Trevor Moore
Viktor Arvidsson-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Alex Laferriere
Arthur Kaliyev-Blake Lizotte-Trevor Lewis
Defence:
Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov-Matt Roy
Andreas Englund-Jordan Spence
Goal:
David Rittich
Cam Talbot
Rittich has lost both times against Calgary, in extra time, and has a 4.34 GAA and .848 SvPct. Talbot has a 10-6-0 career mark versus Calgary, with two shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and .915 SvPct.
ICE CHIPS: Kings LW Quinton Byfield is a lesson in patience. The 2020 second overall pick is enjoying a breakout third NHL campaign, with 19 goals and 53 points. Byfield, who is riding a four-game point streak, has scored twice and netted three points in two clashes with Calgary this season … The Kings have struggled of late on special teams. Their power play has been blanked four consecutive games (0-for-9), while their penalty kill has surrendered three goals against nine chances … With his next point, Kings C Anze Kopitar will take sole possession of 50th place on the NHL’s all-time spot. He currently has 1,205, and is tied with Vincent Damphousse. Just ahead are Bernie Nicholls (1,209) and Bobby Clarke (1,210) … Kopitar is 38th in all-time assists with 788, one back of Peter Stastny.
