Kings try to keep winning streak alive in Calgary
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(SportsNetwork.com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames.
The Kings have won seven in a row for the first time since a nine-game winning streak from Jan. 21-Feb. 6, 2010, taking all six games since returning from the hiatus for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Los Angeles' current tear has it sitting comfortably in third place in the Pacific Division, 11 points up on the fourth-place Phoenix Coyotes.
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The Kings played the middle contest of a three-game swing on Sunday night, besting the Edmonton Oilers 4-2. Jeff Carter had a pair of goals and an assist, while Jonathan Quick made 25 saves.
Alec Martinez and Trevor Lewis also scored.
"We've been playing a good team game," said Martinez, who has three goals and an assist in his past four games.
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Quick has won each of his previous six starts, posting a 0.99 goals against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout. However, he could get some rest tonight in favor of backup Martin Jones, who has never faced the Flames.
Calgary will be seeking to rebound tonight after dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Rookie Joni Ortio made 12 saves for a Flames club that had won two straight and three of its previous four.
However, Calgary went 0-for-5 on the power play and its only goal came when Brian McGrattan scored on a slap shot from center ice that skipped past Vancouver goaltender Eddie Lack.
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The odd tally was the second for McGrattan this season and eighth of his career.
"(I) just wanted to throw one on net," said McGrattan. "I was at the end of my shift, and fortunately it went in."
Forward Jiri Hudler and defenseman Dennis Wideman sat out their second straight games for Calgary with upper-body injuries, while forward Matt Stajan missed his fourth consecutive contest for personal reasons. The Flames announced on Sunday that Stajan has taken a leave from the club following the tragic passing of his son Emerson on March 3 following childbirth.
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There is no timetable for Stajan's return.
Ortio is in line to make his fifth career start tonight and second versus the Kings. He lost to them in his NHL debut on Feb. 27, stopping 22-of-24 shots faced in a 2-0 setback.
Calgary has won a pair of games in Los Angeles in this season prior to that recent setback at home to the Kings, who have won five of the previous seven encounters overall.
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Los Angeles also has won five in a row in Calgary.