Kings Look to Finally Topple Oilers, and Go From There

On an evening that saw both franchises from the Sunshine State join the playoff party, one team from the Golden State looked to become part of the NHL's Sweet 16 as well. On the penultimate Saturday of the regular season, the Los Angeles Kings entered that day standing at three points away from their fourth straight playoff appearance. That combination could come in the form of a win and a Calgary Flames loss, or only one point and Calgary losing in regulation. The Kings were in what many see as a playoff preview--a home game against the Edmonton Oilers. A 3-0 blanking of the Oilers reduced that magic number from three points to just one.

The Flames played later in the day against the Vegas Golden Knights, and this was a close affair. For Kings fans, it was tough. Their win moved them one point behind Vegas, but Calgary's win would keep it that way, but would prevent LA from clinching on that day. Even so, I would figure that fans of the Kings would want that ticket punched, and it was looking good for LA fans, as Vegas was up 2-0. However, the Flames did tie it up and force overtime, but things were still on LA's side, as Calgary's loss did not have to be in regulation. On the final minute, Reilly Smith netted his second of the game, and with the one point lost by the Flames, the Kings were playoff bound.

It's amazing to believe that this is the Kings' fourth straight postseason; I still remember what a shock it was that the Kings made it back in 2022. Remember, this was two seasons after the Kings didn't even qualify for the 24-team playoffs in 2020. The Kings bounced back and made it 2022, and they've made it back every year since. Only one problem, though: the Oilers. Every year in the last three years, the Kings have faced the Edmonton Oilers, and they keep regressing and going backwards as each year progresses.

But this year appears to be different.

The Kings always had quite the group of players, and this year is no different. The leader on offense is Adrian Kempe, and he's definitely been having quite the season with 64 points--33 of them being goals. Anze Kopitar, one of the two remaining stalwarts from LA's two Cup years, is very close behind with 62 points (19 G/43 A). Kevin Fiala only has 52 points, but 30 of them are goals, and he's second behind Kempe in goals. A player who is clearly turning heads on the team has to be Quinton Byfield, who has 19 goals this season, but that includes scoring three of LA's four OT goals this season.

Of course, I have to mention Darcy Kuemper. I have to. We do still remember him, don't we, Avs fans? We only had him for that one year, and it ended up being magical. The Kings are Kuemper's second team since being part of that championship run, and I dare say that he's better than he was three years ago. Kuemper's numbers: 28-10-7, a 2.03 GAA, a .922 SV%, and five shutouts! He has really been the force that the Kings needed in net.

So the Kings are in a pursuit for home ice in Round 1, though they have an outside shot at actually finishing first in the Pacific. The Kings have only one division title in their franchise history, and it was the old Smythe Division they won in the 1990-91 season. The Kings are three points out of first place, but they sit four points ahead of Edmonton, and they have one more trip to Edmonton in the regular season. The Kings have not won a playoff series since they captured their second Stanley Cup back in 2014. If they get home ice in the opening round, I think that playoff series drought will come to an end.