Kings fall to Flames, 2-1

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The long and winding road to the Kings’ extended Christmas break ended Thursday in Calgary, where injuries left them without a single spare skater for the finale of a punishing stretch of 10 games in 17 days in six cities.

But who they didn’t have was less important than the resilience they had, which was impressive. They fell to the Flames, 2-1, at the Saddledome but battled hard and played with the fierce determination that has been their trademark during this 7-2-1 surge.

Playing without center Jarret Stoll (groin) and defensemen Randy Jones (headaches) and Jack Johnson (sore foot) -- besides the previously injured Wayne Simmonds and Ryan Smyth -- the Kings seemed done when Nigel Dawes scored off a bang-bang play 62 seconds into the third period to give Calgary a 2-0 lead. But tenacity by Brad Richardson and Oscar Moller set up rookie Corey Elkins for his first NHL goal, at 11:06, and got the Kings back into it. They fizzled on a late power play and then took two late penalties and couldn’t beat Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff again.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made 23 saves and was sharp all night.

The Kings’ hold on the top spot in the West was dependent upon the outcome of the San Jose Sharks’ game against the Ducks later Thursday. If the Sharks win and match the Kings’ 47 points the Sharks will be the No. 1 seed because they will have played fewer games than the Kings.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott, from Calgary, Canada