Game date notebook – 24.11.04

LOS ANGELES – Much has been said recently about the Kings' famous 1-3-1 trap.

L.A. blueliner Drew Doughty was asked about it during the team's recent trip to Alberta, and he said it's a good thing teams are “frustrating” while navigating the middle of the ice, “because it means it's working.”

Indeed, this method – sending only one fortexer (F1) “deep” and the other four returning to the diamond – was effective for them.

But the Flames have found their way this year, winning two of three meetings.

Tonight, however, is a new challenge in a building where the Kings have given up fewer shots (27.5) and goals (2.43) than anyone else in the Pacific.

“We enjoyed playing them at home in Calgary,” head coach Ryan Huska said. “We want to see the same effort and a lot of what we saw in San Jose in the second and third periods.

“That's a team that makes it difficult for you in the neutral zone and they're a very good rushing team, we've got to fight against them and we want to make sure we play a lot of players. Go to our game tonight too to give them a hard time. That's what we're looking for to match what we did in Calgary and bring it here on the road.”

To break the stingy system, the Flames must master their details and discipline and bring a lunch-pail-style effort without falling victim to the “upset” that relentless puck pressure can create.

“They do a really good job with it,” Huska said of the 1-3-1. “That's one thing, and for us it's a lot of times we have to make sure that we put it in our pre-screening detail, because they do very well and they have a lot of options that are low and they have a bias. smaller teams have decreased. So if we can be quick and good with our sticks and our pressure, I think we're going to let them play a little bit in our zone based on anticipation.”