Flames Close Season with Statement Win Over Kings, 5-1

The Los Angeles Kings were chasing history, while the Calgary Flames were playing for pride—and pride came out on top. Calgary ended their season on a high note with a dominant 5-1 win over the Kings in Thursday's regular-season finale. Nazem Kadri scored twice, and rookies Sam Morton and Zayne Parekh each netted their first NHL goals, with Mikael Backlund also adding to the tally.

The Kings’ lone goal came late in the third period from Taylor Ward, who was making his NHL debut. By then, the outcome had long been decided.

Despite the loss—their first in five games—the Kings still ended the season with 48 wins and 105 points, tying the franchise record in both categories.

Los Angeles heads into the playoffs as one of the league’s hottest teams, having won eight of their last 10 games. They’ll face the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, starting Monday, with Game 2 set for Wednesday in L.A. before the series shifts to Edmonton.

The Flames, meanwhile, missed the playoffs for a third straight year after being officially eliminated earlier this week in a shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. But they didn’t let that stop them from putting on a show, taking the lead early in the second period with Kadri’s first goal and piling on four more in the third.

Morton made it 2-0 early in the final frame, followed quickly by Kadri’s second goal—his 35th of the season—and then goals from Parekh and Backlund to seal the victory.

Ward, son of former NHL winger Dixon Ward, scored the Kings’ only goal with just over six minutes left, marking the first time in five games that L.A. failed to score at least five goals. The game also gave Ward the distinction of being the first son of an NHL player to suit up for the Kings.

Several key players were rested for the game, including top scorer Adrian Kempe, goalie Darcy Kuemper, center Phillip Danault, and winger Trevor Moore.

Originally scheduled for January 8, the game had been postponed due to wildfires in Southern California. The rescheduled date was used by the Kings to honor first responders.