The Calgary Flames, battling to climb out of the Pacific Division basement with a gritty, shutdown style, host the Los Angeles Kings in a Saturday night Pacific showdown at Scotiabank Saddledome. This tilt pits Calgary’s resurgent blue line—led by a healthy Noah Hanifin—against the Kings’ possession-dominant forecheck (51.8% CF%, 8th in NHL), as both teams jockey for wildcard positioning amid injury-riddled rosters. The Flames’ penalty kill (82.5%, 11th) could neutralize LA’s middling power play (19.8%, 19th), but Anze Kopitar’s faceoff mastery (55.2%) versus Nazem Kadri’s snarl sets a tone for a low-scoring, physical affair. With Dustin Wolf seeking a third straight quality start, this home date offers Calgary a chance to snap a two-game skid and build momentum before a brutal road trip.
Game Information
Puckdrop: 9:00 p.m. ET (puck drop)
Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta (capacity: 19,289; home of the Flames since 1983, known for its chilly atmosphere and raucous fanbase)
Broadcast: Sportsnet West (Flames local), Bally Sports West (Kings local), NHL Network, ESPN+
Series Context: Third meeting of the 2025-26 season (Kings lead 2-0: 3-2 W on Oct. 10, 4-1 W on Nov. 18); LA has taken 7 of last 10 H2H.
Injury Report
Calgary’s forward depth is hit hard, forcing line shuffles, while LA’s blue line holds firm but misses Kopitar’s occasional rest. Both squads manage goaltending rotations on the second night of B2Bs for the Kings.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury/Details | Estimated Return |
| Flames | Jonathan Huberdeau | LW | Out | Upper Body | Dec. 20 (IR since Dec. 4; 6G, 14A in 24GP) |
| Flames | Mikael Backlund | C | Out | Knee | Dec. 27 (IR since Nov. 28; captain’s absence impacts leadership) |
| Flames | Adam Klapka | RW | Questionable | Lower Body | Game-time (DTD after hit vs. VGK Dec. 11) |
| Kings | Tanner Jeannot | LW | Out | Lower Body | Jan. 5 (IR since Dec. 6; trade acquisition limited to 8GP) |
| Kings | Jaret Anderson-Dolan | C | Out | Undisclosed | Dec. 18 (IR since Dec. 9; 2G, 3A in 20GP) |
| Kings | Drew Doughty | D | Day-to-Day | Ankle | Game-time (practiced Dec. 12; 3G, 12A) |
Flames elevate Walker Duehr to top-six sans Huberdeau; Kings pair Brandt Clarke with Matt Roy if Doughty sits, preserving structure.
Key Player Matchups
Projected lines from line rushes (Flames via Huska; Kings via Hiller). Hanifin’s mobility vs. Byfield’s breakout speed highlights a youth-vs-vet dynamic.
Flames Top Line (Yandle – Kadri – Pospisil) vs. Kings Top Line (Kopitar – Kempe – Moore): Nazem Kadri (11G, 26P) grinds with Andrew Mangiapane’s (9G) finish; Martin Pospisil adds energy. LA’s Anze Kopitar (10G, 30P) centers Adrian Kempe’s rush (16G). Edge: Kings’ cycle control, but Kadri’s PK prowess (51% faceoffs) disrupts.
Flames Second Line (Duehr – Lindholm – Schmalz) vs. Kings Second Line (Byfield – Danault – Fiala): Elias Lindholm (12G) stabilizes with Duehr’s promotion. Quinton Byfield (rookie surge: 8G) pairs with Kevin Fiala’s sniper touch (14G). Edge: Kings’ depth scoring (2.9 GF/60 last 10).
Goalie Duel: Dustin Wolf (Flames) vs. David Rittich (Kings): Wolf (6-5-2, 2.72 GAA, .918 SV%; 2 straight wins) owns LA (1-0-0, .945 SV%). Rittich (5-3-2, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%; B2B start) rebounds from EDM loss. Edge: Wolf at home, altitude advantage for Calgary.
Special teams: Flames PK (82.5%) vs. Kings PP (19.8%); LA PK (81.9%, 13th) neutralizes Calgary’s 20.1% PP (17th).
Team Records and Standings
Calgary Flames: 12-16-4 (28 points, 7th in Pacific Division; 7-7-2 at home). Advanced stats: 23rd in GF/G (2.70), 19th in GA/G (3.08), -0.38 diff (23rd).
Los Angeles Kings: 14-8-8 (36 points, 4th in Pacific Division; 6-5-4 on road). Advanced stats: 11th in GF/G (3.05), 13th in GA/G (2.90), +0.15 diff (12th).
Calgary’s home points (16 in 16GP) vs. LA’s road OT resilience (4-2 in extras).
Recent Team Forms
Calgary’s mini-resurgence halts after a 4-3 home loss to Vegas on Dec. 11 (Wolf 28 saves; outshot 32-27, blew 3-2 lead). Prior: 3-2 W vs. SJS (Dec. 9; Kadri GWG), 2-1 W vs. WPG (Dec. 7). Last 10: 4-5-1 (2.6 GF/G, 3.0 GA/G), with 3-2-1 at Saddledome—defensive uptick (2.8 GA/G last 5).
LA’s form wobbles post a 3-2 SO road loss to Edmonton on Dec. 11 (Rittich .905 SV%; outshot 35-28). Before: 4-1 W vs. MIN (Dec. 9), 3-2 OT W @ COL (Dec. 7), 2-4 L vs. VGK (Dec. 5). Last 10: 6-2-2 (3.1 GF/G, 2.6 GA/G), but 2-3-2 road—possession dips (48% CF% last 3 away).
| Last 5 Games | Flames Record | Key Stat | Kings Record | Key Stat |
| vs. VGK (Dec 11) | L 3-4 | 27 SOG, 1/3 PP | @ EDM (Dec 11) | L 2-3 (SO) |
| vs. SJS (Dec 9) | W 3-2 | 30 SOG, Kadri GWG | vs. MIN (Dec 9) | W 4-1 |
| vs. WPG (Dec 7) | W 2-1 | 25 SOG, Wolf 24 saves | @ COL (Dec 7) | W 3-2 (OT) |
| @ ARI (Dec 5) | L 1-3 | 23 SOG, shut out | vs. VGK (Dec 5) | L 2-4 |
| vs. SEA (Dec 3) | L 2-5 | 28 SOG, 0/2 PP | @ STL (Dec 1) | W 4-2 |
Series History
Since 1999, LA leads 68-48-11-3 in regular-season tilts (130 games, avg. 5.6 goals). Kings control recent narrative: 7-3-0 in last 10, including two 2025 shutouts? Wait, wins. At Saddledome: Calgary 32-34-6-1 all-time vs. LA. Unders hit 6-4 in last 10 (structured: 5.1 goals avg.), with Kings 5-2 SU in last 7 road vs. CGY.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Kings -1.5 (+195); Flames +1.5 (-235). Flames 5-5 ATS last 10 home.
Total: 5.5 (Over -105 / Under -115). Unders 7-3 in H2H last 10; 6-4 in CGY home.
Trends: Flames 4-6 SU last 10 home dogs; Kings 6-4 SU after SO losses. Public: 53% on Under 5.5. Sharp: Kings ML (line moved).
Game Odds
Calgary Flames 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 175
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 12, 2025
