The Calgary Flames closed out the regular season with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. All eyes were on rookie netminder Arsenii Sergeev, who made his first NHL start and took a solo lap during warmups. [https://x.com/bryanwilsonhky/status/2044940300578332962?s=46]He was tested early, facing 10 shots in the opening period, but held his ground to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d5fa1700-f4cc-49aa-8360-c75ed851fd0d.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Flames broke through on the power play early in the second. At 5:21, Matvei Gridin fired a cross-seam pass to Morgan Frost, who got a piece of it in front and redirected it past Anton Forsberg for his 22nd of the season. Matt Coronato picked up the secondary assist to make it 1-0. Los Angeles answered quickly. Just over a minute later at 6:43, Quinton Byfield found space in front and buried a feed from Trevor Moore past Sergeev. Alex Laferrière also assisted as the game was tied 1-1. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b7c077b1-6aab-4132-9b8b-b3bc588da402.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The difference came in the third. At 6:08, Zayne Parekh created his own lane, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/zayne-parekh-the-growing-pains-and-massive-potential-of-a-flames-cornerstone]spinning off a defender along the wall before stepping in and wiring a wrist shot top corner from distance. His fourth of the year put Calgary back in front 2-1, with assists from Zach Whitecloud and Ryan Strome. Joel Farabee sealed it late, scoring into the empty net at 19:20 for his 20th of the season, with Strome adding another assist. Sergeev finished with 27 saves on 28 shots to earn the win in his NHL debut. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1f919626-afd6-4be0-b969-3e13a0044be5.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images THREE TAKEAWAYS: Sergeev delivers in debut The rookie looked composed from the start. He handled early pressure, controlled rebounds well, and made a handful of key saves to settle things down. Parekh shows his upside His third-period goal stood out. The poise, creativity, and release were all there. It’s the kind of play that gives a glimpse of what’s ahead. A classy send-off for Kopitar The Saddledome crowd acknowledged Kings’ captain Anze Kopitar in what was his final regular season game. A respectful moment for one of the game’s longtime pros.
