"Weary and battered, the Los Angeles Kings might have expected a more gracious group of hosts.

Especially with Christmas right around the corner.

With half a dozen regulars sidelined, stuck playing their 10th match in 17 nights, the Kings would have appreciated a pleasantly uneventful get-together. You know, a nice 60-minute sashay. Let the best power play win.

Instead, the Calgary Flames appeared bent on sending the Angelenos home in an ice bag.

Particularly eye-catching was Mark Giordano's lump-inducing work on Kings captain -- and National Hockey League hit leader -- Dustin Brown. A handful of times, Giordano singled out Brown for misery.

Tone set by Giordano and the rest of the defenders, the previously sagging Flames prevailed 2-1 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"I thought all of us were physical -- that's how we have to play," said Giordano. "Top players have to be punished because they're going to do the same to our top players.

"It was our home building. We wanted to get back on track here and get a win.""