Los Angeles Kings make it out of the first round of the NHL Playoffs
The Los Angeles Kings have made the playoffs three straight seasons but each time have matched up with the Edmonton Oilers and have come up short. While the Oilers feel like almost a guarantee to reach the playoffs again, the Kings also have a great chance to get back for the fourth straight year.
However, this season the Kings should be able to avoid the Oilers in the first round as long as they finish second in the Pacific Division as I predicted in the division standings. With veterans like Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Drew Doughty (when he returns) along with a young core of players like Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence, this team has a chance to be special and finally get over the hump.
If the Kings are able to get out of the first round, it would be the first time in five straight trips to the playoffs and the first time since the 2013-14 season, which was the year they won the second Stanley Cup in franchise history.