Mar 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter coaches against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Kings have six games remaining. Everyone has been watching the standings while the sweat gathers on their forehead.
The big question is do the Kings have what it takes to make it back to the playoffs to defend their title?
With 20 games remaining in the season RinkRoyalty estimated it would take the Kings 13 wins, or 96 points to get into the playoffs. Since that point in time the Kings have gone 8-4-2. L.A. currently sits in 4th in the Pacific Division and 9th in the Western Conference.
The Kings have 88 points in the standings.
Let’s be honest, every game is a must win, but can the Kings really pull it out?
Here we’ll re-evaluate our assessment and take a practical look at the potential outcome of the Kings remaining games.
Dec 30, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Marian Gaborik (12) makes a pass top Los Angeles Kings defensemen Jake Muzzin (6) in front of Edmonton Oilers goaltender Ben Scrivens (30) during the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Edmonton Oilers – April 2nd:
This is tonight’s game.
The Oilers are the third worst team in the NHL. They are looking toward the draft and a year of rebuilding . . . again.
Not only have the Oilers struggled but the game is at Staples Center where the Kings have a 22-9-7 record. If you’re out to prove you belong in the playoffs this game should be a victory.
Also in 3 games with Edmonton this season L.A. is 2-0-1. The Kings won their first home game 6-1 on October 14th. Hopefully we see a repeat of that performance tonight.
We can’t deny Edmonton has been playing well recently. In their last five games the Oilers are 3-2-0, outscoring opponents 14-13 over the stretch. The Oilers beat Colorado twice, Dallas once and lost to Winnipeg and Anaheim. They’ve knocked two teams on the fringe out of the playoffs, and lost to two teams that look like they will be in.
It’s about proving your identity for the Kings tonight. If you’re a playoff team, you go out and get the win.
It’s not about being cocky, it’s about being confident.
Mar 10, 2015; Denver, CO, USA;Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) attempts to score on Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Avalanche – April 4th:
The Kings have had Colorado’s number this year, winning both games between the two teams this season.
Both games were in Colorado.
Los Angeles Kings /
Los Angeles Kings
They weren’t very close either: on February 18th: 4-1, and March 10th: 5-2.
Now the Kings will come home where they play even better.
Colorado is banged up with injuries to young stars like forward Nathan MacKinnon who is out for the season with a fractured foot.
The Avalanche can score, netting 14 goals in their last five games. They also give up a ton of goals, allowing 17 goals in their last five games.
The Kings have run into some scoring droughts this season. L.A. has no time for scoring problems now.
With the way Colorado goaltender, Semyon Varlamov, has played over the last two years, we can’t be certain who will show up. Varlamov could either be tremendous, or porous.
The Kings are the better team. They have the advantage of being at home.
It’s a game L.A. should, and needs to win. In some ways it’s a toss-up, but again it boils down to the same thing: if the Kings are a playoff caliber team this is a game they will win.
Mar 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Vancouver Canucks – April 6th:
Vancouver. In Vancouver.
The Canucks have all but locked up a playoff spot with 45 wins and 95 points.
They’ve also been a thorn in L.A.’s side all season. Well, in the standings at least.
The Kings have been able to beat the Canucks in 3 out of 4 games this season. L.A. won the first three games on November 8th: 5-1, January 1st: 3-2, and March 12th: 4-0. The first game was at Staples Center, the last two were in Vancouver.
Recently though the Canucks beat the Kings 4-1 on March 21st at Staples Center. The loss put a major dent in the Kings playoff push.
L.A. must beat Vancouver if they want to stay alive. Unfortunately it’s to the point the Kings may need a little help. Vancouver has a game coming up on April 4th against the Winnipeg Jets. L.A. needs that to be a 2 point game, but more importantly who will L.A. need to win.
At this point it looks like the Kings will need Vancouver to beat the Jets in regulation. Despite they help they can provide the Kings need to stick to the strategy that got them wins against the Canucks early in the season.
Mar 3, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings left winger Kyle Clifford (13) knocks in the rebound for the goal as Oilers players fly into Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens (30) in the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
Edmonton Oilers . . . again – April 7th:
This time it’s going to be at Rexall Place.
To quote Aerosmith: “It’s the same old story, same old song and dance my friend.”
If they don’t succeed on their first attempt to upset the Kings they will be fighting to the death for their second. And it’s on their home turf.
Edmonton is playing for pride at this point. In this game the Kings need to have more will, and more heart.
In all six remaining games the Kings can’t overlook any opponent. It’s cliché, but it’s true: L.A. has to take one game at a time.
Still, this should be another 2 points. Really, it’s Edmonton.
Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Mason Raymond (21) celebrates with teammates Curtis Glencross (20) and defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Calgary Flames – April 9th:
This game IS a playoff game.
It’s not just a must win, it’s a defining win. If the Kings can beat the Flames in Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome it will send a message to the other teams, the NHL, the world, and more importantly the Kings that they are ready for a real run at a dynasty.
It’s going to be a brutal game.
L.A. will play their second last game against Calgary, and it comes at the end of a three-game road-trip. It will be the Kings 3rd game in 4 days.
In four games this season the Kings are 1-1-2. Not very impressive.
The first three games, two of which took place in December were losses. Two of those games were also at Staples Center.
On December 22nd it was a 4-3 overtime win for Calgary at Staples. December 29th was a 2-1 loss in Calgary. January 19th was a combination of the first two losses: 2-1 in OT at Staples.
The good news is the Kings won the most recent game 5-3 at home.
Calgary is missing their captain and best defensemen Mark Giordano who is out for the season after requiring surgery for a torn bicep.
The bad news: Calgary’s final game is April 11th against the Winnipeg Jets. Just like the Canucks-Jets game, for the Kings, this is a lesser of the two evils. The Flames-Jets game has to end in regulation.
Calgary is ahead of the Kings in the Pacific Division by 3 points, with 91. The Kings have one-game in hand. It’s a race to 96.
Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70, second from right) is congratulated for scoring a goal as San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) skates by during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Sharks – April 11th:
We’re debating whether this schedule is friendly or not. Finn-ishing (terrible pun) the season with the Flames and Sharks is in no way friendly.
When the Kings win their next four-five games the come home to host San Jose.
The Sharks have not had the best season this year. With 85 points and five games remaining the Sharks are a longshot to make the postseason.
Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-5This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings /
After the way the Kings ended their season last year San Jose would love nothing more than to eliminate L.A. in their final game of the season.
The teams have split this season. As is usual between the two California rivals there’s some give-and-take, push-and-shove going on.
In the opening game of the season San Jose shutout L.A. 4-0 at Staples Center, on the night the Kings raised the banner. The Kings defended home ice on December 27th winning 3-1. On January 21st San Jose defended home ice winning 4-2 in the Shark-Tank. The most recent game, on February 21st, the Kings won 2-1 in San Jose.
As an optimistic Kings fan one would conclude the Kings should win out!
As a pessimistic Kings fan one might think L.A. can go 4-2 in their last six games.
That means L.A. still makes it to the 96 point cut-off. The important thing is, the Kings win the right games.
Initially RinkRoyalty said the Kings would need to win 13 of their last 20 games, or get to 96 points. The Kings are a long 8 points away from 96, with six games to play.
But seriously . . . we’re not really going to let the Sharks deny us right?
