Los Angeles @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2018 ) Los Angeles 1, Calgary 4

The Calgary Flames have looked to their captain in a bid to bolster the quest for their first division title since the 2005-06 season. Mark Giordano carries a seven-game point streak (two goals, eight assists) into Monday's action as the Flames bid for their seventh win in eight outings in the opener a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings.

"He deserves every accolade he's getting. He's one of the biggest warriors I have ever played with," goaltender Mike Smith told reporters of Giordano, who scored a goal and set up two others in Saturday's 3-1 victory versus Vancouver that pushed Calgary six points up on second-place San Jose in the Pacific Division. Giordano (72 points in 73 games) became the first defenseman aged 35 or older to reach the 70-point plateau since seven-time Norris Trophy recipient Nicklas Lidstrom in 2007-08. While the Flames reached triple digits in points for the first time since their Northwest Division-title winning team in 2005-06, the Kings mustered just eight points in an 18-game stretch (2-12-4) before posting back-to-back victories in their last two outings. Jeff Carter scored for the second time in as many consecutive contests in Saturday's 4-3 shootout triumph over Anaheim after going 20 games without a goal.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), Sportsnet West (Calgary)

ABOUT THE KINGS (27-39-8): Kyle Clifford, who is slated to play in his 600th NHL game on Monday, scored his first career power-play goal in the first period versus the Ducks. "I think the last couple of games we have played with more mental toughness," the 28-year-old told reporters. "We are not letting the things during the game affect how we play, so you know we are just keeping it simple and when things go wrong we keep pushing." Dustin Brown extended his point streak to four games (three goals, three assists) after notching an assist on Saturday.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (47-21-7): Calgary is receiving significant contributions from its fourth line, as Andrew Mangiapane is riding a three-game goal streak, Garnet Hathaway has scored and set up a goal in back-to-back contests and Derek Ryan collected four assists in his last three games. "That line's been real good," coach Bill Peters told the media. "The difference is, they're finishing off more plays than they did earlier in the year. They're starting to get rewarded for their effort." Mikael Backlund, whose 20 goals are two shy of his career high set in 2016-17, scored twice and set up another in Calgary's 4-1 victory versus Los Angeles on Nov. 30.

OVERTIME

1. Calgary LW Johnny Gaudreau boosted his point total to 21 (six goals, 15 assists) in 19 career meetings with Los Angeles after scoring in the most recent encounter.

2. Kings RW Adrian Kempe has scored his team's lone goal in two games against the Flames this season.

3. Calgary F Elias Lindholm has been held off the scoresheet in nine of 11 contests this month.

PREDICTION: Flames 5, Kings 1