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Winnipeg Jets @ Los Angeles Kings Game 72 Recap: Kings lose 3-2; eliminated from the playoffs

Posted on by Michael Lloyd

114-Word Recap

The Los Angeles Kings picked the wrong team to battle in a one-goal game: the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets improved to 18-6-4 in one-goal games this season, edging the Kings 3-2. The Jets have 90 points and a three-point lead over Nashville atop the Central Division.

The Kings have now lost five straight home games, dropped six of seven overall and 16 of 18. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. At 58 points, the Kings are last in the Western Conference and have the second-fewest points in the NHL. However, if the season were to end today, the Kings would have a 13.5% chance to land the top pick in June’s Entry Draft.

The Game 71 Scoring

Jets 1. Kings 0.

Jets 2. Kings 0.

Jets 2. Kings 1.

Jets 2. Kings 2.

Jets 3. Kings 2.

The Third Period

Kyle Clifford showed the only fight the Kings could muster at the 2:48 mark in the third. This Kings would not get their first shot on goal until the 16:10 mark of the third and were outshot 10-2 in the period. A fitting way for the Kings’ playoff chances to end.

Next: The Kings host the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center on Thursday.

Quotables

Willie Desjardins:

“Well, that’s always disappointing [on being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs]. It’s never the way you start a year, it’s the one thing you never want to happen. That’s a tough thing today. It’s not something that we’ve been focused on. We’ve been more focused on just game-by-game trying to get things going.”

Anze Kopitar:

“Well it’s definitely sour taste. Thoughts? This whole year has been disappointing and now we’re eliminated officially and not one guy in this room should be okay with just what’s been going on this year. With that being said, there’s 10 games left and there’s guys that are trying to stay in the lineup, there’s guys that are trying to prove themselves in the league, and there are guys that are older and want to keep playing in this league, so there’s lots to play for.”

Talking Points