Kings-Flames: Pivotal Matchup Again? Why, Yes

Since we last tangled with the Calgary Flames...

IN: Clay Wilson

OUT: Derek Smith, T.J. Brodie (upper body); Mikael Backlund (shoulder). Cory Sarich (concussion) skated in practice but will not be ready for tonight.

Enemy Reading: Matchsticks and Gasoline

Possible lines:

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla
Glencross-Jokinen-Moss
Stempniak-Stajan-Comeau
Kostopoulos-Jones-Jackman

Butler-Bouwmeester
Giordano-Hannan
Wilson-Babchuk

Kiprusoff

Kings lineup:

Brown-Kopitar-Williams
King-Richards-Carter
Penner-Stoll-Lewis
Clifford-Fraser-Nolan

Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Martinez-Greene

Jonathan Quick

Who is playing well down the stretch? Well...clubs like ours. The Kings have been dominant territorially against some of the top defensive teams lately. They still need more points to show for it.

Those are positive signs to build on, at least; and though banged up, the Kings will need to summon every ounce of energy they have to beat another desperate opponent tonight. They can improve their own chances at the postseason dramatically with a victory over the Flames tonight, and make it nearly impossible for Calgary to stay in the hunt to boot.

All the more reason to buckle down and take care of their own business.