Game 20: Flames 6, Kings 2

This was a hard game to watch. Literally. Tuesday night's game was blacked out everywhere, until it was lifted so Kings fans could watch online for GameCentral. Seriously, there should be no blackouts for any of these games. They are all being broadcast live, allow fans who forked out the monthly bill to see EVERY game. Thank you.

But even though fans could watch the game, I'm pretty sure they were wishing they couldn't after the first two periods, when the Flames built a 4-0 lead. In fact, the game was so bad, Terry Murray mercifully pulled Ersberg, starting his tenth straight games in the pipes. Erik received no defensive help this game, and Jason LaBarbera didn't get much more when he skated on the ice midway through the second.

It was disheartening to see the team beaten so handily, especially after losing in overtime last game against the Avalanche. The wind was just sucked from them, long before the puck dropped the start the third. They battled valiantly, with goals from Kopitar and Frolov. But the Flames answered back, snapping the Kings' 10-game streak of outshooting their opponents.

It'll be interesting to see how the Kings battle back tomorrow night against the Oilers.

• AP:  Flames forward Rene Bourque scores 2 in 6-2 win

• LA Times: Kings' Zeiler suspended 3 games

Looking through purple-hued glasses

• The Battle of California: John Zeiler Breaks Foote, Will Miss 3 Games

John Zeiler hit Foote in the numbers, Foote hit the boards with his face, Zeiler got a penalty. Sounds fair. I only wish Zeiler had gotten the death penalty instead. Well, not the death penalty, that's a little far; maybe a 10-year sentence in federal "pound me in the ass" prison. That sounds about right.

• The Royal Half: Zeiler! Zeiler! Zeiler!

Will the Kings miss John Zeiler? No. The game in which he hit Adam Foote from behind was only his 2nd game back. I guess the only question is who Coach Murray puts in for him. Does Peter Harrold come back in as defense/forward or does Derek Armstrong get a showcase for a possible trade?

• Crushed Purple Velvet: Kings 2, Flames 6. Woof.

I don't know what else to say but that finally a team found a way to exploit the Kings' weakness. So, how much longer till the Kings recall Purcell, Lewis, and/or Moulson?

• The Kingsternet: Everything's Gone Green... soon!

I personally think that the next three games are arguably the biggest games of the season for the Kings, so I think it's pretty lousy that two of the next three games will not be available on television for everyone. One point behind Edmonton, and a mere 4 points behind the current 7th seed (and tonight's opponent) Calgary are only part of the drama that will culminate in Saturday's game against Chicago, currently the 6th seed and one of the recent benchmarks for a young team gaining respectability.

From the other side of the ice, the Calgary side

• Calgary Sun: Hosts pen dazzling L.A. story

• Calgary Herald: Flames stay hot at home against Kings

• Hit The Post: Good job, Todd

• Red Mile: Flames Score 6 Times to Beat the Kings

• Inside the Game: Crushing the Kings

• Five Hole Fanatics: Gameday: Flames and Kings

Kings-related news

• Calgary Sun: Quincey what doctor ordered

• Calgary Sun: Kings gettin' respect

Power numbers

• ESPN: Rise one spot to 21

• The Hockey News: Big leap from 26 to 21

• TSN.ca: Leapfrog Leafs, Yotes and Jackets to 20

• Yahoo: Hold steady at 26 (?)