(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to get back on track
Saturday as they host the Calgary Flames in the opener of a two-game series at
the Staples Center.
The Kings, who will also host Calgary on Monday, are coming off just their
second loss in nine games.
L.A. had won two straight to begin a five-game homestand before dropping a 5-2
decision to the Dallas Stars. The setback halted a six-game home winning
streak and marked the Kings' first loss at the Staples Center since losing in
a shootout to Nashville on Jan. 31.
Jaromir Jagr scored twice to lead the Stars to the easy win on Thursday.
Trevor Lewis and Jeff Carter lit the lamp for Los Angeles, while Jonathan
Quick gave up four goals on 21 shots in the setback.
"They got in behind our coverage and found a way to score," Kings captain
Dustin Brown said. "We made some errors and they capitalized on them."
The defending Stanley Cup champions still boast a 7-2-1 record in L.A. this
season, but the Flames have won their last two tests in the City of Angels.
The Kings have won six of eight overall in this series.
Carter has 10 goals over his last nine games and is second in the NHL with
16 tallies this season. He has three goals and one assist in 10 career games
against Calgary.
The Flames were denied their first three-game winning streak of the season on
Friday, losing a 4-0 decision at Anaheim. It was the Ducks' 16th straight home
win against Calgary.
Miikka Kiprusoff allowed all four goals on 24 shots for the Flames, who
allowed Anaheim to score the only goal it would need just 75 seconds into the
contest.
The Ducks opened the scoring at 1:15 when Andrew Cogliano slid a quick pass
from below the goal line toward the slot for a cutting Daniel Winnik, who
one-timed the puck past Kiprusoff.
"Unfortunately they got one right of the gate, but we were able to play well
for half the game there," Calgary forward Jarome Iginla said."
It was the fourth straight road loss for the Flames, who are 3-4-2 as the
visiting club this season.
The Sports Network