Opinion
3 min read

Calgary Flames to Confront Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Strategic Skirmish

As the Calgary Flames prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena, fans are eager for what promises to be a strategic showdown. The Flames have been on a rollercoaster of performance lately, but their recent victory over the Kings on March 31st showcased their ability to capitalize on powerplay opportunities.


Dec 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Calgary Flames center Connor Zary (47) looks on during the third period of a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

In that game, the Flames demonstrated a remarkable powerplay strength by scoring 3 goals out of 6 opportunities. This impressive 50 percent success rate was pivotal in securing their win with a final score of 4-2. The team's shooting accuracy also stood out as they matched the Kings' shooting percentage at 11 percent but took advantage of more shots on goal, totaling 35 compared to the Kings' mere 18.


The Los Angeles squad will certainly be looking for redemption after their shorthanded efforts fell short last time around. Despite putting up a strong defense with an impressive number of blocked shots (27), they couldn't overcome Calgary's offensive onslaught. However, it's worth noting that both teams were equally aggressive in takeaways with each claiming 13.


Dec 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Kings celebrate a goal by Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield (55) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

One area where Calgary could improve is faceoff win percentage; although they edged out Los Angeles with a narrow margin (55 percent vs. LA's 45 percent), there is room for growth which could prove crucial in maintaining control during critical moments.


Looking back further into Calgary’s performance against St. Louis Blues on March 29th and Chicago Blackhawks on March 27th reveals some inconsistencies – particularly in faceoff wins where they only managed a win rate of just over one-third against St. Louis and barely over half against Chicago.


Dec 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) fights for the puck against Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (8) during the second period of a game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Despite these fluctuations, one constant remains: when given powerplay chances, Calgary has shown proficiency this season – something that could tip scales in their favor once again if Los Angeles isn't careful about conceding penalties.


The upcoming game scheduled for April 12th will test whether the Flames can maintain their special teams’ prowess and exploit any weaknesses presented by the Kings’ penalty kill unit. It’s an opportunity for them to build momentum as playoffs loom closer and every point becomes increasingly valuable.


Fans can catch all the action live from Crypto.com Arena at either ESPN+ online or BSW television network starting at precisely 7:30 PM PT time zone – don’t miss what is sure to be an enthralling encounter between these two competitive teams!

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