Kings' franchise-record point streak ends in loss to Flames - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Kings’ franchise-record point streak ends in loss to Flames

Kings forward Blake Lizotte is checked by Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman during the first period.
Kings forward Blake Lizotte, right, is checked by Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman during the first period Tuesday in Calgary, Canada.
(Jeff McIntosh / Associated Press)
Share via

Jacob Markstrom was spectacular Tuesday, making 32 saves to fuel the Calgary Flames to a critical 2-1 victory over the red-hot Kings.

Andrew Mangiapane and Walker Duehr scored for Calgary, which won its second consecutive game and improves to 7-3-2 in its last dozen outings.

The Flames opened the night four points behind the Winnipeg Jets, who occupy the final wild-card berth in the NHL’s Western Conference.

Advertisement

Sean Durzi had the lone goal for the Kings, who had scored 19 goals in their previous three games. The Kings have been the NHL’s hottest team, entering the night on a franchise-record 12-game points streak (10-0-2).

The Kings entered the night two points behind Vegas and three points up on Edmonton in the battle for first place in the Pacific Division.

Starting for the 15th time in the last 16 games, it was one of Markstrom’s best games of the season.

Advertisement

The veteran came up with numerous important saves to make the Flames’ 2-1 lead from the first period hold up the rest of the way.

When the Stanley Cup playoffs begin in April, the Kings should be among the Stanley Cup title favorites to emerge from the Western Conference.

March 28, 2023

In his sixth start in goal since being acquired by the Kings in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Joonas Korpisalo lost for the first time, with 30 stops.

Momentum swung halfway through the first when Rasmus Andersson’s goal, which would have made it 2-0, was waved off after an offside review. Less than two minutes later, the Kings tied it.

Advertisement

Durzi was left with open space to skate in from the blue line and he whipped a shot into the top corner.

Calgary restored its lead at 17:59 when Duehr scored the goal that would stand up as the game-winner, slipping a shot past Korpisalo from the side of the net. It was the sixth goal in 21 games for the rookie, who was playing on the fourth line.

Advertisement