LOS ANGELES — Somehow, some way, the Los Angeles Kings currently occupy a coveted playoff spot.
With a 2-1 overtime win on Wednesday night against the St. Louis Blues, the Kings find themselves in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators.
LA was undisciplined and unproductive in the first period on Wednesday. The Blues controlled the pace, were more physical, and forced sloppy Kings turnovers. But off the first face-off during a second-period power play, Adrian Kempe took advantage of a keen feed from Alex Laferriere and potted his 28th goal of the season.
Struggling late against a St. Louis team that was applying heavy pressure, LA conceded the game-tying goal with under four minutes left in regulation as Robert Thomas deflected the puck in.
The Kings played in their 29th overtime period of the season, and after a string of chances, Trevor Moore scored the game-winning goal off a speedy rush on the right wing after Anže Kopitar freed up the puck right before.
With eight games remaining, the Kings have very little margin for error. LA will face the Predators next, in the first of two remaining matchups between the two, in what could ultimately determine either team’s fate.
Talk of Troy reporter Kasey Kazliner reported from Crypto.com Arena and talked about Kings-Blues on Skate of Thrones, TOT’s Kings podcast. Listen below!