The Los Angeles Kings closed out their regular season with a surprising 5-1 home defeat to the Calgary Flames, raising questions as both teams look ahead to different futures. Despite resting several regulars, the Kings—boasting the NHL’s best home record at 31-6-4—were outplayed by a Flames squad that missed the playoffs but finished strong.
Calgary’s youth movement was on full display. Sam Morton and Zayne Parekh, both making their NHL debuts, found the scoresheet, with Parekh—last summer’s ninth overall pick—scoring on a redirection and Morton muscling home his first career goal. Veteran Nazem Kadri added two goals, capping his season with, while Mikael Backlund also chipped in.
The Kings, who had won eight of their previous nine and were favored to win, struggled to generate offense and saw their four-game win streak snapped. Taylor Ward, another debutant, scored the lone goal for Los Angeles. Despite the loss, the Kings will enter the playoffs with home-ice advantage, set to face Edmonton in the first round.
Statistically, the matchup had been expected to be tight, with both teams known for strong third-period performances and defensive structure. However, Calgary’s four-goal outburst in just over five minutes of the third period broke the game wide open, defying pregame predictions that anticipated a low-scoring affair.
With the regular season now over, all eyes turn to the Kings’ playoff run and the Flames’ offseason rebuild. Will Los Angeles rebound, or did Calgary expose a weakness at the worst possible time?
