Kings at Flames
Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames 8 p.m., Saddledome TV: Sportsnet 360, Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan
THE BIG MATCHUP
Flames C Sean Monahan vs. Kings RW Tyler Toffoli
During their junior days as teammates with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, Toffoli filled the net and Monahan did most of his damage as a setup man. At the NHL level, both have proven to be marquee marksman. The 23-yearold Monahan has buried 21 goals for the Flames this season, his fifth consecutive 20-goal campaign. When the Kings arrived in Vancouver for Tuesday’s late date, Toffoli, 25, was tied for the team lead with 18.
FIVE STORYLINES 1. POST-BYE BUMMER
This is exactly what Flames fans feared — the local hockey heroes would lose momentum during their bye. The Flames had rolled to seven straight victories before their vacations, but have settled for a pair of loser points in two out-of-sync showings since — Saturday’s shootout setback to the Winnipeg Jets and Monday’s overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. On a positive note, the Flames are riding a nine-game point spree.
2. SECOND-YEAR SURGE
There are no signs of a sophomore slump in this case. Flames left-winger Matthew Tkachuk has now scored 14 times this season. After totalling 13 tallies as a rookie, that’s a new career high for the talented pain-in-the-youknow-what. Tkachuk has been especially productive of late — dating back to New Year’s Eve, the 20-year-old has six goals and 10 points in his past nine outings.
3. ROYAL FUNK
It’s hardly been a happy new year for Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick & Co. Heading into Tuesday’s clash against the Canucks, the Kings had struggled to a 2-6-0 record since the calendar flipped to 2018. They finally snapped a six-game losing skid with Sunday’s 4-2 doubling of the New York Rangers. A month ago, the Kings topped the Pacific Division. That perch now belongs to the Vegas Golden Knights.
4. FAMILIAR FOE
These rivals have already hooked up twice this season with the Flames winning both battles — a 4-3 overtime triumph at Staples Center in October and a 4-3 regulation victory earlier this month at the Saddledome. The Flames’ top-line tandem of Johnny Gaudreau and Monahan have combined for eight points in those contests. On the other side, resurgent Dustin Brown has two goals and a pair of assists.
5. AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN
The Flames have 35 dates remaining on their regularseason slate — the exact number of appearances injured legend Jaromir Jagr needs to erase Gordie Howe’s all-time gamesplayed record. While rumours swirl about his future, the 45-year-old Jagr remains on injured reserve due to an unco-operative knee. Mr. Hockey’s historic mark — 1,767 regular-season loggings — is safe, at least for this season.