IT’S WIN- AND- YOU’RE- IN TIME
This is it. What happens next is up to the Calgary Flames. Win against the visiting Los Angeles Kings and they’re in. Lose, and they’re going to have to hope they can get business done against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. But first things first, the Kin
1. HILLER’S EXPERIENCE
Jonas Hiller’s 22 saves on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes gave him his fourth win in five appearances, which is a good thing, considering the recent lower body injury to Karri Ramo. Hiller is their guy for now and the foreseeable future. But as a former Olympian, World Championship, and NHL veteran, his composure shows through. “The biggest quality in Jonas is he is able to adjust his game by the minute,” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. “No. 1, he doesn’t get rattled by anything. That’s such a valid point for a goalie. He’s always under control. You never see him too high, too low. He’s always on an even keel. Whether it’s after a big goal or a big save, lucky goal, bad bounce, whatever. You see him and he’s always ready on the next shot.”
2. WELL BEHAVED
The Flames average the third- least penalty minutes per game with 7.7 in 80 NHL contests, sitting behind the good guys from the Carolina Hurricanes ( 6.6 PIM/ game) and the Chicago Blackhawks ( 7.2 PIM/ game). Mason Raymond’s eight PIMs in 55 games leads the way. The Flames have also taken the second- least amount of penalties, period, ( 251) and 618 penalty minutes in total. It’s been that way all year, including Tuesday’s game against Arizona where they took zero penalties to Arizona’s four. “We’re not here to play Monopoly,” Hartley said. “But, at the same time, we understand we don’t win games sitting in the ( penalty) box. Lots of times, it’s not the toughest army that’s going to win. It’s the smartest one. But you still have to be a warrior.”
3. LAST TIME THEY MET
It was after the NHL all- star break but before the team’s monster seven- game road trip. Tyler Toffoli torched the Flames with a hat- trick as the Kings scored three in the third period en route to a 5- 3 victory Feb. 12. Other than that blip, Calgary had owned their previous three meetings. In impressive fashion, too. There was the 4- 3 come from behind overtime victory on Dec. 22 at Los Angeles before Christmas. The 2- 1 win on Dec. 29 at Calgary. The 2- 1 overtime thriller at Staples Center on Jan. 19. The Flames lead the season series 3- 10 and hold the first tiebreaker, the ROW, 40 to 37. Drew Doughty promised the Kings would be back at it on Thursday. “You’re going to see our best game,” the defenceman told the L. A. Times.
4. ABOUT THE KINGS
The Kings arrived at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday after a 4- 2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers the night before. Not exactly the game to lose, either. Added to their 2- 1 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, the Kings dropped to 39- 26- 15 and 93 points. The Kings’ only two goals on Wednesday came from defencemen Jake Muzzin and Doughty. Martin Jones started in net ahead of Jonathan Quick. If they lose to the Flames on Thursday, the Kings will be eliminated. Doughty and the Kings understand their recent history with the Flames. “Calgary has kind of had our number this year and we owe them,” he said. “Going into their building, we’re going to play a big, hard, rough road game and get a win there.”
5. C- NOTES
C Sean Monahan scored his 31st goal of the season as the Flames picked up their fourth victory in five games on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes ... It was his eighth game- winning goal of the season which is tied for third in the NHL behind Alex Ovechkin ( 11) and Max Pacioretty ( 10) ... Monahan is on a five- game point streak ( two goals and three assists) ... LW Johnny Gaudreau is first in rookie scoring with 23 goals, 39 assists and 62 points ... The Flames improved to 30- 15- 3 against Western Conference opponents this season ... Those 30 wins rank second in the NHL behind the Ducks ( 3310- 5) ... They’re 21- 6- 1 against the Pacific Division ... D Dennis Wideman has two goals and five assists in the last four games.