You know, when the Los Angeles Kings weren’t tripping people, struggling with an aggressive Boston Bruins forecheck, and turning pucks over, they played pretty well tonight!
The things they did wrong don’t matter too much now, though. Two points and a playoff spot clinched!
In LA’s defense, as soon as they went two goals up early in the second period, they were always going to face a lot of pressure from Boston. And as soon as the Bruins scored on a turnover by, of all people, Anze Kopitar, they were in for some pressure. Jonathan Quick stood up to all of it, though, with a late helping hand (skate, actually) from Jake Muzzin to make the 2-1 lead stand up. Kris Versteeg blocked a shot with his foot, too, but it was a much harder shot; he left the game in the third and did not return.
Coupled with Arizona’s loss to Tampa, the Kings are now guaranteed one of the Pacific Division’s three available playoff spots. Alec Martinez was taken aback when given this news after the game; safe to say they have bigger things in mind.
More to come in the recap, including Tanner Pearson’s nice tip.