After two Stanley Cups, were we really going to celebrate a Pacific Division title?
Actually, yeah, we were. Unfortunately, the Kings went up 3-0, assumed their work was done, and lost in a shootout.
It was supposed to be a lot more comfortable than this for the Los Angeles Kings, especially after Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson both notched goals in the opening period and Andy Andreoff continued his scorching recent play with an unassisted goal. However, two goals in the final five minutes of the second meant that, as usual, we were going to have to sweat this one out.
One Blake Wheeler goal and 16:39 of struggling later, the Kings and Jets went to overtime, and Jonathan Quick made a stunning save at the buzzer to send it to the shootout. At that point, it felt like LA might still get away with this, but Ondrej Pavelec (SERIOUSLY) made three stops and Mark Scheifele beat Quick in Round 2.
A Washington Capitals win of any kind tomorrow will give LA the Pacific Division title. If Anaheim wins, it’s a duel with San Jose in the first round.
Recap coming up, if you want to read it!