Kings Clinch Playoff Spot

Even after coughing up a 1-0 lead late in Saturday night's game against the Ducks and eventually losing 2-1 in a shootout, the Kings still managed to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday. With Calgary's loss Sunday afternoon, the Kings are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The Kings obviously don't want to let up and get lackadaisical now that they're in. They still have some unfinished business, and with four games left on the regular season schedule, 100 points is still within reach. They currently sit in seventh place in the conference with 95 points.

They probably want to win these last four games to gain some momentum heading into the post-season, as well. After scoring eight goals last Thursday in their win over Vancouver, they only managed one against the Ducks on Saturday. If the Kings are going to advance deep in the playoffs, they need their offense to be consistent. It's no secret the hottest teams heading into the playoffs are generally the teams that do well and advance deep into the post-season.

On an unrelated note, Jeff Halpern could return tomorrow night in Anaheim after suffering an upper body injury last Thursday when he was checked into the boards by Vancouver's Tanner Glass.

Back on Track?

Well, we can only hope after the last two wins.

The Kings had struggled all season against Nashville and Vancouver. For some reason, they just couldn't find a way to beat either team. But in the last two games, with Jonathan Bernier in net giving Jon Quick a little rest, they found a way. On Tuesday, Bernier pitched a shutout as the Kings beat the Preds 2-0 in Nashville.

Last night's game was even more impressive. In fact, it might have been their best game of the season, at the most important time of the season.

The Kings erupted for five goals to start the game before the Canucks ever got on the scoreboard, and with the help of Dustin Brown's second career hat trick, the Kings walloped Roberto Luongo and the Canucks 8-3 at Staples.

The Kings dominated this game from start to finish on both sides of the ice despite Bernier giving up two quick goals to Vancouver in a 39 second span in the middle of the second period.

They did lose Jeff Halpern in the process, unfortunately. He took a hard check into the boards in the first period on a charge from Tanner Glass that resulted in the infamous upper body injury. There appeared to be contact from Glass to the head, which resulted in a power play for the Kings. Glass could receive additional supplemental discipline from the league for the hit.

Meanwhile, Bernier, who was called up last week to backup Quick after Erik Ersberg suffered an injury, was sent back to Manchester this morning. Ersberg will return Saturday as Quick's primary backup.

Last night's offensive outburst, coupled with some stingy defense was exactly what the Kings needed, even as they followed up a pretty impressive win in Nashville two nights earlier. The important thing for the Kings is to not let up. Keep going forward. Keep up the intensity from last night, as well as the sense of urgency.

Next up for the Kings, two against the Ducks: Saturday at Staples, next Tuesday in Anaheim.