Los Angeles Kings Playoff Push Continues With 3-1 Victory Over The Colorado Avalanche
Saturday night the Los Angeles Kings continued their push to the playoffs with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.
Saturday’s win is the second-last regular season game the Kings will play at Staples Center.
Dwight King opened the scoring in the first period, one-timing a rebound off a Jeff Carter shot. It was King’s 12th goal of the season.
1:12 into the second period Colorado’s Ryan O’Reilly tied the game by crashing into the net. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog took a harmless looking shot from the half-boards that hit the glove-hand of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. The puck bounced off the wrist-protector of the glove and rolled behind Quick. O’Reilly skating hard to the net was able to drive the puck home by crashing right into the goal.
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Then defensemen Alec Martinez scored twice on the same play!
That’s what we need to see out of the Kings in this playoff push!
Martinez, much-like King, one-timed a rebound from a Jeff Carter shot on goal. Martinez’s shot hit the goal post and went in and out of the net. With every other player on the ice stunned, Martinez stayed with the puck picking it up and again quickly firing it into the back of the goal.
Upon further review by the officials the original shot by Martinez counted, but it never hurts to make sure. Too bad he only got one point for his effort.
It didn’t matter to Martinez because it turned out to be the only point the Kings needed: it was the game-winning goal that would give L.A. two-points in the standings column.
Toward the end of the game with 1:58 in regulation Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov was preparing to leave the net for the bench to give the Avs and extra attacker.
Marian Gaborik capitalized on a turnover, brought the puck to the face-off dot and fired a wrist-shot over the shoulder of Varlamov as Varlamov attempted to recover and square himself to the shot.
That sealed the deal.
L.A. tied a franchise record limiting the Avalanche to just 10 shots in the game. The other time that happened was in 1994 against California rivals the San Jose Sharks. It’s almost immeasurable how much the Sharks have suffered at the Kings hands. . . . almost.
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The Kings sweep the series with the Avalanche this season winning all three games: 5-2 and 4-1 in Denver, and 3-1 in Los Angeles.
Kings defensemen Robyn Regehr picked up 2 assists in the win. Regehr also received the honor of being named the 3rd star of the game.
Think Jeff Carter loves to win?
Carter, the maniac has 2 goals and 6 points in his last 5 games. In his last 10 games Carter has 4 goals and 8 points.
All-Star center Anze Kopitar is on a mission as well. Kopitar has 2 goals and 11 points in his last 10 games. Kopitar overtook Carter for the team lead in points in March.
Kopitar has 63 points in 75 games; Carter has 60 points in 78.
The Kings are back in a playoff spot, occupying the second Wild-Card position. That means L.A. has edged the Winnipeg Jets out, at least for now.
The two teams are tied in point, the Kings have the tie-breaker in fewer losses.
L.A. now embarks on a three-game road-trip through the Great Northwest. The Kings need three straight wins to complete their playoff quest.
The Kings next game is on Monday in Vancouver against the Canucks. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST at Rogers Arena.
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April 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) and center Jeff Carter (77) celebrate the goal scored by defenseman Alec Martinez (27) against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports