The Calgary Flames (18-14-7) are back home in the friendly confines of the Scotiabank Saddledome, where they host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.
It is the second to last meeting of the season after Wednesday’s meeting, which was postponed due to the wildfires in Southern California. The Flames won the first encounter on Remembrance Day, 3-1.
Calgary last played on Tuesday, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime, while the Kings beat the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in overtime on Friday night at Canada Life Centre.
The Flames are 5-3-2 in their last ten, while the Kings are 7-1-2. In the Pacific Division, these two clubs are separated by eight points.
Between the Pipes
After securing a thrilling overtime win, Dustin Wolf is getting the nod in net for the Flames, where he hopes to improve upon his 10-2-1 record on home ice.
He won his only start against the Kings in November, giving up just one goal and making 28 saves. Interestingly, Wolf, who is from Gilroy, CA, is now 7-1-0 against California-based teams in his career.
Meanwhile, the Kings are starting former Flames netminder David Rittich, who has had a career resurgence since moving to Los Angeles in the summer of 2023.
In the past two seasons, he’s 24-14-3 with a .908 SV% and 2.33 GAA with three shutouts. The 32-year-old has never beaten the Flames, sporting a 0-1-2 record with a 4.24 GAA and .868 SV%.
Conversation Starters
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Walker Duehr is back in the lineup, as head coach Ryan Huska has shifted around the bottom six in Connor Zary’s absence. In 12 games, Duehr has yet to score and has a single assist. Is this going to be one last audition for the 27-year-old?
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Yegor Sharangovich is chopping at the bit to get his first goal in 14 games. At home, he’s collected four goals and eight points, so can he light the lamp on Saturday before a lengthy road trip?
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Until the streak ends, it will continue to be a topic of discussion. So the question is, when will the Flames prevent an opponent from scoring a power-play goal?
Where Are They Now?
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Calgary
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Anaheim
Flames & Predators Leaders
Per the Flames staff at NHL.com, here’s a breakdown of tonight’s lineup. (Subject to change)
FORWARDS
Jonathan Huberdeau — Nazem Kadri — Martin Pospisil
Blake Coleman — Mikael Backlund — Matt Coronato
Andrei Kuzmenko — Yegor Sharangovich — Jakob Pelletier
Ryan Lomberg — Kevin Rooney — Walker Duehr
DEFENCE
Joel Hanley — Mackenzie Weegar
GOALIES
Dustin Wolf
SCRATCHES
Daniil Miromanov, Tyson Barrie, Rory Kerins
Tonight’s game is available on FDSNW, City, SN, CBC, SNW, and Sportsnet+. The puck drops at 8 p.m. MT.
