The Los Angeles Kings take on the Calgary Flames in their second of three meetings, this season.
Both clubs were scheduled to face one another on Wednesday (January 8th, 2025)in Los Angeles, before the game was postponed due to the fires. On that subject, we want to extend our condolences to Patrick O’Neal (host of LA Kings live on FanDuel Sports Network) and his family.
LA are coming off a 2-1 overtime victory versus the Winnipeg Jets. Tonight’s contest is the second game of a back-to-back for the Kings who are 5-1-0 on day two, this season.
The Flames come into this matchup with a record of 5-3-2 in their last ten games.
DARCY-DO
LA Kings Head Coach Jim Hiller hasn’t been afraid to experiment with his lineup. Yet, he’s been rather conventional by starting both his netminders in back-to-back games.
We did see him go to the well twice with David Rittich on October 16th and 17th, 2024.
Rittich was pulled midway through the game on October 16th, 2024, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, after giving up four goals on fourteen shots faced.
Hiller had enough confidence that Big Save Dave would return to form, giving him the nod the following night (October 17th, 2024) against the Montreal Canadiens – resulting in a 4-1 victory – Rittich with twenty-six saves and a .963 SV%.
Hillering (verb): Avoiding playing certain players against their old teams or other interpersonal matchups; except in the rarest of occasions.
Despite Rittich being a Flames alumnus, this game is not a rare occasion. Thus, it’s possible Hiller could do a little do-si-do with his netminders, electing to start Darcy Kuemper two nights in a row.
Per @PR_NHL, Darcy Kuemper (8-0-2 in 10 GP) is the fourth goaltender in franchise history with points in 10 consecutive appearances and first since Robb Stauber (10 GP from Oct. 10 to Dec. 12, 1992). pic.twitter.com/ZpcN6ejgxO
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) January 11, 2025
HUBER-IS
Flames Forward Jonathan Huberdeau currently leads the team in points (30) and goals (17), with nine points (6G, 3A) in his last nine games played.
It’s been an interesting journey for Huberdeau since being traded to Calgary from the Florida Panthers. In his last season with Florida (2021-22), Huberdeau put up one hundred fifteen points (30G, 85A). In his first two seasons with Calgary (2022-23, 2023-24), he combined for one hundred seven points (27G, 80A).
On pace for a thirty-five-goal season, Huberdeau appears to have gotten his confidence back.
9-TO-5
Kings Forward Adrian Kempe comes into this game with a four-game goal streak. A prolific scorer, Kempe has done his job – currently leading the Kings in goals (20).
Puck drop is slated for 7:05 PM PST. You can watch the game on television via the FanDuel Sports Network or listen live with the ESPN LA app.
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