December was a rocky month for the Calgary Flames but they managed to end it on a positive note with a much-needed win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
They'll be looking to build on that, and take another small step towards a playoff spot, tonight when they host the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings are off to a fantastic 24-11-5 start but their recent play has been nothing to be afraid of.
Over the last 10 games, the Kings have controlled 49.8% of the shot attempts and scoring chances at 5v5. For perspective, the Flames have controlled 52.8% of the attempts and 54.6% of the chances over that same span.
Even with their 4th line problems, which they are trying to address with Andrew Mangiapane and now Marek Hrivik being recalled, the Flames are still a good team and deserve better results than they've gotten of late.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Michael Ferland Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Troy Brouwer Sam Bennett - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway Curtis Lazar - Matt Stajan - Andrew Mangiapane
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton T.J. Brodie - Travis Hamonic Brett Kulak - Michael Stone
Mike Smith
Los Angeles (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Tanner Pearson - Anze Kopitar - Dustin Brown Marian Gaborik - Adrian Kempe - Tyler Toffoli Kyle Clifford - Nick Shore - Trevor Lewis Alex Iafallo - Torrey Mitchell - Jussi Jokinen
Jake Muzzin - Drew Doughty Kurtis MacDermid - Alec Martinez Derek Forbort - Kevin Gravel
Jonathan Quick
What to watch:
1) After hitting a rough patch, Smith has bounced back in a big way posting a .932 save percentage over his last nine starts. The Kings don't allow many goals – no team has allowed fewer, actually – so the Flames probably won't fill the net tonight. If that's the case, they'll need another strong showing from Smith.
2) Calgary's 3rd line owns a Corsi For of just under 55% and a +5 penalty differential. I think they could have another good night playing primarily against LA's bottom-6.
3) Mangiapane didn't get a lot of ice but impressed in his debut with a couple good shots on goal and four attempts. I'd like to see the leash loosened tonight, especially when Brouwer inevitably slows down the 2nd line.
4) The MacDermid - Martinez pairing has been a train wreck for the Kings. At 5v5, they have an expected goals for of 38.9%(!!), an expected goals against/60 of 3.02, and a -9 penalty differential. I'd be spoon feeding the top line ice time against that pairing all night.
5) One underrated player worth paying attention to is Adrian Kempe. He doesn't play on the PP for some reason but he's been very effective generating offense at 5v5 as only Anze Kopitar has more points in that game state. He ranks 3rd among their regulars in chances/60, too. He's a threat.
Puck drop is just after 9:00 eastern and can be seen on SNW and FS-W.
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