The Los Angeles Kings struggled early in the season, and lost games late that they really shouldn't have, all culminating in an early end to their season. The Kings fell to the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Thursday night, officially eliminating them from playoff contention.
Meanwhile, the Flames clinched their first playoff berth in 6 years, led by 2 goals and an assist from Jiri Hudler. Hudler now has 31 goals on the season, his last coming with 50 seconds left to get the crowd of 19,289 on their feet for an ovation. Johnny Gaudreau scored the only other goal for Calgary.
With the Jets clinching a playoff spot after the Kings' loss, the field of 8 for the Western Conference is set. The Blues, Predators, Blackhawks, Wild, Jets, Ducks,Canucks, and Flames are in. Calgary will play the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs, but it is unclear who will have the home-ice advantage.
The Flames are 2 points behind Vancouver, with both teams having 1 game left, and the Flames holding the tiebreaker.
The Kings became the first Stanley Cup Champions since the 2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes to miss the playoffs the next season. Jordan Nolan scored the lone goal for Los Angeles in the losing effort. They finish the season going winless in their final 5 road games, finishing 0-4-1.
L.A was outshot 15-8 in the first period, but got on their horse in the second period, outshooting the Flames 12-4, but could not cut into the deficit. Jonas Hiller finished the night with 33 saves on 34 shots for Calgary, running his record to 26-19-4. Jonathan Quick finished with 22 saves for the Kings, as he fell to 35-22-13 on the year.
The Flames are still playing for home-ice advantage in the first round, as they take their 45-29-7 record on the road against the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow afternoon. The Kings fell to 39-27-15 on the year, and will finish the season at home against the San Jose Sharks tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Flames clinched their first playoff berth in 6 years, led by 2 goals and an assist from Jiri Hudler. Hudler now has 31 goals on the season, his last coming with 50 seconds left to get the crowd of 19,289 on their feet for an ovation. Johnny Gaudreau scored the only other goal for Calgary.
With the Jets clinching a playoff spot after the Kings' loss, the field of 8 for the Western Conference is set. The Blues, Predators, Blackhawks, Wild, Jets, Ducks,Canucks, and Flames are in. Calgary will play the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs, but it is unclear who will have the home-ice advantage.
The Flames are 2 points behind Vancouver, with both teams having 1 game left, and the Flames holding the tiebreaker.
The Kings became the first Stanley Cup Champions since the 2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes to miss the playoffs the next season. Jordan Nolan scored the lone goal for Los Angeles in the losing effort. They finish the season going winless in their final 5 road games, finishing 0-4-1.
L.A was outshot 15-8 in the first period, but got on their horse in the second period, outshooting the Flames 12-4, but could not cut into the deficit. Jonas Hiller finished the night with 33 saves on 34 shots for Calgary, running his record to 26-19-4. Jonathan Quick finished with 22 saves for the Kings, as he fell to 35-22-13 on the year.
The Flames are still playing for home-ice advantage in the first round, as they take their 45-29-7 record on the road against the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow afternoon. The Kings fell to 39-27-15 on the year, and will finish the season at home against the San Jose Sharks tomorrow.
