Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings: Game Preview, Prediction

Calgary Flames (24-18-3) vs. Los Angeles Kings (20-14-11)

Game Time: Monday, January 19, 2015, 10:30 p.m. ET

Players to Watch:

Calgary: D Mark Giordano, LW Johnny Gaudreau
Los Angeles: C Anze Kopitar, D Drew Doughty

The reigning champs will go into this Monday night showdown at the Staples Center on the outside looking into the playoff picture, with the upstart Flames barely ahead of them in the standings. As of right now, Calgary is on a three-game winning streak and narrowly holding on to the last Western Conference playoff spot. They appear to have righted the ship after some lackluster play.

This game is absolutely pivotal as a win for the Kings means they bypass the Flames and get back into the second wild card spot. Likewise, Calgary getting the win in L.A. means they can distance themselves from the Kings and solidify their standing.

While the Flames’ Giordano is turning heads and lighting it up offensively to put himself in the Norris Trophy discussion, Doughty has been quietly keeping the Kings afloat. He has been without question the Kings’ MVP this season, and is playing some of the best hockey of his illustrious career and keeping the Kings alive in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Flames rookie Gaudreau had a natural hat trick in the team’s come-from-behind win in their last game at Staples Center in December, and is playing well beyond his years. The diminutive former Boston College Eagles player is giving defenders fits almost every night with his unparalleled hockey IQ and wide array of shifty moves. The Kings will need to keep Gaudreau in check and off his game, or they run the risk of him putting up yet another big game against them.

While the Kings are in a bit of disarray and the young Flames have been proving people wrong all season, the champs are still just that. Look for the Kings to step up like they have throughout Darryl Sutter’s tenure in Los Angeles and get the win, as they look to avoid becoming the first reigning champion in almost a decade to miss the playoffs.

Final prediction: Los Angeles 5, Calgary 2