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Dustin Penner scored with 3:14 left in the third period to help the Los Angeles Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in the opener of their Western Conference quarterfinal series Wednesday night.
For a few days late in their tumultuous season, the Los Angeles Kings were on the verge of a breakthrough. They were in position to win just the second division title in franchise history, and they could have hosted a playoff series for the first time in about two decades.
For a few days late in their tumultuous season, the Los Angeles Kings were on the verge of a breakthrough. They were in position to win just the second division title in franchise history, and they could have hosted a playoff series for the first time in about two decades.
Los Angeles Kings center Brad Richardson is out indefinitely after an appendectomy.
Vancouver Canucks leading scorer Daniel Sedin has returned to practice after missing nine games with a concussion.
Mike Smith made 31 saves in another stingy start, helping the Phoenix Coyotes take the Pacific Division lead with a 4-1 victory over the suddenly beatable St. Louis Blues on Friday night.
Joe Pavelski scored the only shootout goal, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Kings 6-5 Thursday night to pull even with Los Angeles atop the Pacific Division with two days left in the regular season.
If the Phoenix Coyotes eventually fall short of reaching the playoffs or winning their first division title, one reason will be their performances against the league-worst Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jonathan Quick made 19 saves in his NHL-leading 10th shutout, Slava Voynov scored in the opening minute of the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings moved closer to their second division title in franchise history with a 2-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.
Erik Christensen and Mikko Koivu scored in a shootout and the Minnesota Wild beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Saturday night.
Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist and the Los Angeles Kings took over the Pacific Division lead with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.
With two games remaining against one of the worst teams in the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings would seem to have a good opportunity to solidify their playoff position.
Jonathan Quick stopped 19 shots and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Calgary Flames 3-0 on Wednesday to move into the eighth place in the Western conference.
Roberto Luongo made 38 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the Vancouver Canucks blanked the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Monday night.
