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Flames hope to put road woes behind them in Los Angeles

Jan 19, 2012 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Kings opened up a successful road trip with a win over the Flames last weekend. In their return to Los Angeles, they'll get a chance at extending Calgary's road losing streak.

The Kings look to keep up the pressure in the Pacific Division and deal the Flames a seventh straight road defeat on Thursday night.

Los Angeles got a goal and an assist each from Mike Richards and Dustin Brown in a 4-1 win at Calgary on Saturday, the Kings' fourth victory in a row in this series after losing 14 of 16.

After losing the middle contest of the three-game swing in Edmonton, Los Angeles edged out a 3-2 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, with Richards netting the game-winner in the shootout.

Dustin Penner and Justin Williams scored in regulation, while Jonathan Quick made 31 saves to give the Kings a 9-1-5 mark over their past 15 games and keep them two points back of the first-place Sharks in the Pacific Division.

"You're only as good as your last game and we certainly needed to come back with a little bit of snarl. We lost our last game in Edmonton and you need to have that mentality that we lost that last game, we've got to come out and push," said Williams, who has three goals and four assists over a five-game point streak.

Anze Kopitar also has points in five straight, logging three goals and three assists over that run, while Penner snapped a 17-game goal drought.

"Two points here gives us a great road trip, five out of six isn't easy to do coming up here to the northwest," said Quick. "So, we're happy with what we did this weekend and we're looking forward to getting back home."

The Kings have taken three in a row at home versus the Flames and will host them for the first time this season. They catch Calgary in the midst of an 0-4-2 slide on the road since a win at Columbus on Dec. 27.

The Flames also went beyond overtime on Tuesday, but suffered a 2-1 loss to the Sharks. Chris Butler had the lone regulation tally for Calgary and Miikka Kiprusoff made 30 saves, but couldn't get his club a win after being given a second chance.

The Sharks appeared to win the game in overtime, but Justin Braun's goal was waved off for goaltender interference even though replays showed that is was the Flames' Olli Jokinen who made contact with Kiprusoff.

Despite a second straight loss overall, Calgary captain Jarome Iginla would like to see his club repeat Tuesday's effort.

"That's the way it goes some night, but it's unfortunate because I thought we were playing hard and creating," said Iginla. "Our [penalty kill] was good. It was a good game. Unfortunately we didn't get two points, but it's still an important point and it's a big step in the right direction as far as how we want to play.

"If we carry that into Thursday, we'll get some good results playing like that."

Calgary played with only 10 forwards for a good portion of Tuesday's game after opting to dress seven defenseman and then losing winger Curtis Glencross to a left leg injury in the second period. He is questionable for tonight.