Potential PO Clinching Day

[PuckinUgly57]

Ducks Blues at 5pm, if the Ducks beat them the Kings are in due to tie breaker. Will be watching that game closely this evening. I said last night in the GDT they are done, it think it officially happens today. Last night getting the loser point against SJ and not 2 was the dagger.

Minnesota plays the Hawks at 1230pm and if they lose, they are out. They're too far behind the pack to realistically get into a WC spot anyway IMO so no real worry but one less team to worry about for LA.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Wild up 3-0 on Hawks, 15 minutes left. Game is on ESPN+.

Looking like they'll live to fight another 2 days, just need Anaheim to beat the Blues tonight to lock LA into the playoffs.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Just watched Nashville pull it out over NJ. Saros looked really good.

Late goal for Nashville and back and forth OT.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Wild one in Anaheim, met up with ex Ms Puck and the boys for a few hours for dinner and some rides at Knotts. Last day of spring break suckas, back to it tomorrow.

In line for a ride I saw it was 2-1 Blues so I figured low scoring defensive battle. Came home and saw the Blues won 6-5 in the SO. Sounds like everyone decided not to play any defense. Hawks laid an egg losing 4-0 to the Wild earlier, bur generally speaking these non PO teams are not rolling over. Every game matters but for different reasons for both teams.

No clinch today, Blues back within 5.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Kings playoff tickets on sale today to general public through AXS. Scooped up a pair for "Home Game 1" (Game 3). If you guys end up going, maybe meetup for a drink or something.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I'd be down for sure. Been a while since I've been to a playoff game, I'll keep you posted. I'd probably roll in on the Metrolink to avoid the parking mess in DTLA.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Sounds good. Not sure what date it falls on yet. Internet says NHL regular season done 04/18/2024. I thought I read playoffs fire up on 04/20, but now I can't find that info.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Indeed, heard Saturday 4/20 myself. I'm assuming G3 will be on Thursday 4/25 or Friday 4/26.

I don't think the Kings have played on playoffs opening day in quite some time so I'm assuming they'll start Sunday 4/21 or Monday 4/22.

Would be cool if we could get a group together off the board, I'd be more than happy to contribute to a group ticket buy.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Good one going on ESPN+, Cap Jumpers at Vancouver. Game is tied 3-3 with 4 minutes left in the second, Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead quick but Canucks tied it up by the end of the first, Vegas took a 3-2 lead this period and Vancouver tied it up yet again.

If Vegas wins they will take over PD3 and drop the Kings back into WC2, if the Canucks win they'll open up a 5 point lead on the Oilers for PD1 but Oilers have 1 game in hand. Canucks just scored to take the lead 4-3 with 1:14 left. Third should be good.

This is one of the tightest races to end the season we've seen in a while.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Second try tonight, Kings are in with a win in any fashion against Anaheim.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Good one going on ESPN+, Cap Jumpers at Vancouver. Game is tied 3-3 with 4 minutes left in the second, Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead quick but Canucks tied it up by the end of the first, Vegas took a 3-2 lead this period and Vancouver tied it up yet again.

If Vegas wins they will take over PD3 and drop the Kings back into WC2, if the Canucks win they'll open up a 5 point lead on the Oilers for PD1 but Oilers have 1 game in hand. Canucks just scored to take the lead 4-3 with 1:14 left. Third should be good.

This is one of the tightest races to end the season we've seen in a while.

Listening to The Hockey Guy on Youtube breakdown this Canucks/Vegas game. Vegas was 8-0-2 all time in Vancouver before this game. Had never lost in regulation in Vancouver.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Blues beat Chicago, within 4 of LA. They are just not going away. The Kings have a GIH on them and an easier schedule (Blues have 3 games remaining against the Canes, Kraken and Dallas as the finale - yikes) but another loss against these non PO teams and it could get very interesting. It's almost like clockwork how this team shits the bed in situations like this.

Canucks lost to the Dogs 4-3 but still remain in PD1 and Edmonton destroyed Vegas 5-1 tonight to stay within 4 points of the PD title.

Standings didn't change tonight but it's definitely nervous time. Missing out on say G82 would be a failure of epic proportion considering their remaining schedule.

If that happened, Blake should be escorted out at the 59:59 mark.

 

[histkng23]

At this point I'm hoping Jon Hovan is the one escorting him (Blake) & Yank out the door, only for Hovan to find out the door was locked behind him leaving him out there with them....

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Lot of chatter about Phoenix being moved to Salt Lake City as early as next season. I guess the NHL drafted two versions of the schedule for next year, and one has Coyotes in Salt Lake City.

Flipped over to the Blues game and saw it was 4-0 Blues after the 1st period, so that felt over early.

Kings struggle against Calgary, so I don't have a great feeling about tonight. The wheels would still need to completely fall off for them to miss the playoffs, but I expect at least one more day of drama.

Kings forward core, and especially center depth should have them dominating some teams, and we just haven't seen it. Their Top 9 is actually pretty strong (on paper). Sort of willing to overlook the Anaheim game, but would like to see some some the final few games against weaker opponents. And by blowing the Anaheim game, they also feel like they can't rest Talbot again.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think them moving would be great, clearly Phoenix has been unsustainable for almost 30 years being the welfare child of the NHL. I've read so many things that players are embarrassed to play there as professionals in a 5000 capacity arena.

Salt Lake would be interesting, I actually think it would take off there. They can call themselves the Mormons or something. Kidding aside, I can see something Zion based.

Agree, Calgary has tended to give them fits recently. Hope they don't screw it up tonight. I'd love to see Rittich start, but like you said losses change plans.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Shocking to no one. Mark Stone medically cleared to resume practicing. Vegas is going to be like $20mil over the cap heading into the playoffs.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Color me shocked. He will probably be in full flight G1 too, cleared to play after the RS ends. It's a Christmas miracle!

=)~~

Now I want the Blues to make it in even more so Vegas is out.

 

[Kings4OT]

Festavus for the rest of us

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Had 2 flag games and was gone all evening, just got home and watching NHLN.

Freaking wonderful.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Kopitar resting tonight. PLD apparently going to center the top line...