5 things – Flames @ Kings

2. Know your enemy

Freeway Faceoff has a night off.

The Kings dropped a 3-1 decision to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday despite beating their California cousins ​​37-27.

Frank Vatrano, Alex Killorn and Trevor Zegras scored, while Ryan Strome had a pair of helpers for the Ducks, while Akil Thomas provided the offense for the visitors.

Thomas, who was called up from the AHL's Ontario Reigns last week, now has two goals in four games with the big club.

Cam Talbot made 24 saves for the Kings, who were among three winners on the night and clinched their postseason berth with the win.

“We thought it might be easy,” LA coach Jim Hiller told reporters afterward. “It's never easy in the National Hockey League.”

Former Flame Trevor Lewis made an assist on the contest, flicking a loose puck into the side of the net before it bounced in front of Thomas, who beat it in the goalmouth.

“We know they have a lot of skill and a lot of young talent and they're playing very freely right now,” Lewis said. NHL.com. “I thought we had a really good first 10 minutes and then everything just got away from us. We got into their game a little bit and started turning the puck over. In the second period we played really well but let them hang, they have some skill and their goalkeeper played very well.”

With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Kings are currently in third place in the Pacific – meaning a first-round matchup with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers for the third straight year.

Adrian Kempe leads LA with 71 points (27G, 44A), followed by Kevin Fiala with 70 (27G, 43) and the ageless Anze Kopitar with 68 (26G, 42A).