The set-up: Two Pacific Division foes meet at Staples Center on Saturday when the 5-6-1 Calgary Flames visit the 5-6-0 Los Angeles Kings. The Flames won 3-2 over Stanley Cup finalist San Jose on Thursday, snapping a two-game losing skid and evening their mark at 1-1-0 on a current four-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Kings' 3-2 overtime victory against the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on the same night, snapped a three-game losing streak in which they had failed to score a goal.

Calgary: The Flames' road win over the San Jose Sharks is a hopeful sign that the team's poor defensive play is beginning to turn a corner.Calgary has surrendered 42 goals, ranking next-to-last in the league in goals against, through 12 games. Poor defensive play was maybe primary reason the Flames missed the 2016 postseason and the acquisition of goaltenders Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson was hoped to help get that straightened out. Obviously, that's yet to materialize.

LA Kings: Los Angeles has scored just 23 goals in 11 games, placing them 11th in offense in the Western Conference. The Kings have not won a game in regulation time and have not scored more than three goals through regulation in any contest. Only LW Tanner Pearson has scored more than two goals. Many thought of the Kings as a Stanley Cup contenders at the start of the season but team health issues have raised questions about the quality of this team's depth.

The pick: That said, the victory over the Penguins could re-instill confidence throughout the experienced Los Angeles roster. Plus, the Kings have been a tough opponent for the Flames, sweeping last season's all four of last year's season series. Calgary's last victory at Staples Center came back on January 19, 2015. A win isn't in the cards for the Flames tonight, either. LA is an 8* play.