Now that the LA Kings have clinched their spot in the NHL Playoffs, it is time to look at who they might face in the first round. As it stands right now, there are five potential teams but two are the most likely. Let's break down who they might play depending on how the rest of the season plays out.
Calgary Flames
The LA Kings have only one game left on the regular season schedule against the Calgary Flames and it is in fact the last game of the regular season. For the Kings to play the Flames a few things will have to fall into place.
This matchup would require the Kings to remain in second place in the Pacific Division and the Flames to pass the Oilers in the standings. Right now, the Flames are eight points back of the Oilers with only six games left so it would require the Flames to essentially win out with the Oilers losing almost every single one of their remaining games.
For the Kings, this is an opponent they may not want to see as they lost their first two meetings this season. However, those games were earlier in the season and they have been playing much better as of late.
Vegas Golden Knights
Another potential, but highly unlikely, opponent in the first round of the playoffs for the Kings would be the Vegas Golden Knights. In this scenario, the Oilers would not only need to pass the Kings in the standings but also the Golden Knights and win the division.
Right now, the Oilers are seven points back of the Golden Knights so in a similar fashion to what the Flames have to do, the Oilers would have to win basically every game while the Golden Knights lose out.
For the Kings, they have had success against the Golden Knights this season as they have won three of their four meetings but if these two teams were to meet in the playoffs, it would almost certainly be in the second round.