Game Thread: G17 9-4-3 Kings @ Flames 11/11/24

[PuckinUgly57]

Game day again, and thank you to all who served and continue to do so on Veteran's Day. Game time is 530pm on FSW/FanDuel/BSW or whatever it's being called again.

No real lineup changes, same 18 who played Saturday will suit up again tonight. I had something going on every night of the week last week so when the BJ game came around I was so exhausted I actually crashed in the man cave right after Moore scored the SH goal. Woke up 3 hours later to see the Kings secured the 5-2 win. That was a first, falling asleep during a game, the early start tonight should ensure old man gets his rest.

Kuemper first off so he is expected to start, his career numbers are stellar (8-2-1, 1.72 GAA, .951 SP%. Impressive) against Calgary and the best against any team in his career. With Jeannot's suspension and the subsequent line shuffling HOS 2.0 is on LW1 with Kopitar and Kempe as was the case Saturday. You'd think one of Laferriere or Foegle would be there but apparently Jill doesn't want to split up the Buster line. The fourth line will feature Lee/Helenius/Thomas, lot of trust having such an inexperienced/young line. But these three played together in Ontario so hopefully shouldn't be too bumpy. Lewis on L1 makes me cringe no matter what veteran presence he brings.

Calgary is a pedestrian 7-5-3, this is the first of a quick two game trip with the Avalanche up next. Their leading scorer is actually a defenseman, Andersson with 4G/7A/11pts. Interesting considering they have guys like Kadri, Huberdeau (who has struggled), Coleman, Backlund and even Weegar on the back end. Vladar the expected starter.

Prediction: Kings 4-3 with Dunno, Kempe, Thomas and Fiala with goals. The Kings may be 9-4-3 but only two wins have come against solid teams (Vegas, Wild). Lot of knob gobbling going on over at Teh Blog but not taken into context. Kings roared out after 20 games last season and fell apart for the next 40 as we know. I digress but Im expecting a win.

Let's Go Kings!

 

[davnlaguna]

Guy on the Flames
For Wolf, it’ll be his first NHL game against the Kings. The Gilroy, CA native spent most of his youth hockey career in Los Angeles, playing seven seasons with the LA Jr. Kings.

I am afraid the Kings lose this one. Flames have lost Two in a row and will be driven to not make it three.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Effin wonderful. Wolf has shown flashes of brilliance, dude was in the Junior Kings program and is from the Garlic Capital of the World up north.

What could go wrong?

=)~~

Another two side notes

- Lewis and Rittich both played with Gaudreau in Calgary so I have to wonder if they'll be a little emotional coming back here for the first time since his passing

- Sami Helenius played 7 games with thw Flames and made his NHL debut in 1996 here in Calgary, Samuel Helenius will make his NHL road debut today as a King in the same building. Pretty freaking cool for both father and son

 

[Kings4OT]

I cringe everytime i see #6 around the puck, ptsd.

 

[Kings4OT]

Mentioned it to nobody the other day, Kings love that to many men penalty....at least once a game

 

[Kings4OT]

Kuemper bailing out LA, Not helping him out much

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Calgary is smothering them, not even letting them through the NZ and blocking a ton of shots.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Been watching the games where I can, but haven't had much to say. Kings feel like they beat the teams they should but haven't excelled at any one thing very well.

Kings just do not matchup well against Calgary. Going back to last year, they just play LA with grit and structure, and LA doesn't handle it well.

Also would just like to note how allergic Fiala is to breakaway scoring. He's gotta be 0 for 6 this year. Feels like he is perpetually in his own head.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Guy on the Flames
For Wolf, it’ll be his first NHL game against the Kings. The Gilroy, CA native spent most of his youth hockey career in Los Angeles, playing seven seasons with the LA Jr. Kings.

I am afraid the Kings lose this one. Flames have lost Two in a row and will be driven to not make it three.

Yeah they said he grew up idolizing Quick. Even noted his entire stance and how he lines up before faceoffs is pretty much like Quick. Missing the days when the Kings had a ton of excitement around their goaltending.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Now all they need is a PP goal...

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Yikes on that PP.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Yikes on that PP.

Brutal. Nice goal by TOTM though, that save attempt by Wolf was very Quick. Calgary flat out outplayed them. Two of the dudes I thought were quiet so far this season (Backlund, Huberdeau) get them the win.

Would be nice to see Buster et al do that for LA but so far no dice. This guy will end up with 40 points this season again which would be eye raising considering his contract.

Next up, Nordalanche and that will not be any easier.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Been watching the games where I can, but haven't had much to say. Kings feel like they beat the teams they should but haven't excelled at any one thing very well.

Kings just do not matchup well against Calgary. Going back to last year, they just play LA with grit and structure, and LA doesn't handle it well.

Also would just like to note how allergic Fiala is to breakaway scoring. He's gotta be 0 for 6 this year. Feels like he is perpetually in his own head.

Spot on. Vegas and Wild, only 2 higher caliber wins in 17 games. We are almost 20% of the way through the season and they haven't had a rough stretch except for a lot of road games, but it's not like they're running the gauntlet on those trips.

Record is inflated as far as I'm concerned, try 5 games against some heavyweights and come out with the same record and I'll be impressed. Kind of like like last season where they were well rested between games but came Jan 1 and the schedule got condensed and it didn't end well. They're playing well against teams they should be playing well against but won't see in the POs barring some crazy crap.

Fiala, he's faking himself out on these breakaways and PS. I'd like to see him dumb it down and just shoot instead of trying to get all crazy and blowing the chance, it's like Jack Johnson trying to deke people who aren't even there and whiffing altogether.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

I am going to take the heat for this loss. The wife and I went to dinner and then a little grocery shopping. Got home and sat down to watch the game and within 30 seconds Flames scores. Watched a bit more and they scored again. I tried to turn it off as soon as I could to give the Kings as much time as possible for any type of comeback but they only manged the one goal. My bad boys.