I realize the Kings PR department is beating that phrase into the ground the last month or so, but it’s now official so it’s appropriate: The Los Angeles Kings have clinched a spot in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a long awaited return for the Kings’ faithful, 8 years to be exact. The last time the Kings tasted postseason, they lost a second consecutive 7 game series to Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche. Felix Potvin was in goal, and the Kings’ top line was that of Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh and Zigmund Palffy.
Calgary’s regulation loss to Chicago today, coupled with the point earned in the Kings’ 2-1 shootout loss to Anaheim last night, were enough to assure the Kings of at least the 8th seed in this season’s playoffs. Calgary could even the Kings in points if they were to win out and the Kings lose out, but the Kings would hold the tiebreaker for more wins.
Last night’s Anaheim game was a masterpiece by Jon Quick, who deserved a much better fate. A very questionable call against Jaret Stoll (which should’ve at the worse been two for Stoll and two for diving to Anaheim’s Corey Perry, who went down like a wet rag.) gave the Ducks a PP with just over two minutes remaining. They pulled goaltender Curtis McElhinney to create a 6 on 4 advantage, and Anze Kopitar failed to clear the zone. Saku Koivu tied the game with 92 seconds remaining after Quick stopped 4 or 5 shots in a row. Koivu scored the only goal of the shootout as well.
So, having secured a playoff spot, the only question remaining now is “where?”. The Kings currently sit in 7th, but could conceivably finish as high as 4th. While that isn’t likely, anywhere from 5-8 is well within reach now. Of the potential matchups, the only one I don’t like, despite the Kings flame broiling Luongo like the Whopper the other night, is Vancouver. The Kings Have had success on some level against all other potential opponents.
The task at hand now is the close the season playing good hockey. The Kings can put an exclamation point on their already clinched “Freeway Faceoff” series with the Ducks Tuesday, and they get one more shot at Phoenix and lowly Edmonton before closing the season out against the Avanlanche in Denver. How it plays out will be interesting to watch, although the important battle has already been won.
Kings head to the scum filled puddle to face the Ducks Tuesday.
GO KINGS!
-JS
Tags: los angeles kings, playoff hockey
Jeremy Smith