The Los Angeles Kings have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helped by a victory of a division rival.
The Vegas Golden Knights` 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Flames secured the Kings` place in the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.
In the past three playoffs, the Kings were eliminated in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers. There is a strong possibility they will face the Oilers again this season in a rematch.
Currently, the Kings are second in the Pacific Division, holding a four-point lead over the Oilers, who are in third place. If the standings remain unchanged, these two teams would meet in the first round for the fourth year in a row.
The Kings are the fifth team from the Western Conference to confirm their playoff participation, joining the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers also secured their playoff positions on Saturday, making them the second and third teams in the league to clinch, respectively.
The Lightning had several scenarios to qualify for the playoffs, one of which depended on the New York Rangers not winning against the Devils in regulation time.
The Devils` 4-0 win ensured the Lightning`s qualification even before they played later that night, where they lost to the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout.
This marks Tampa Bay`s eighth straight playoff appearance and their 11th in the last 12 seasons.
The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in both 2020 and 2021 and reached the final again in 2022, where they were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.
The Florida Panthers also received assistance to secure their playoff berth.
The Panthers, the current Stanley Cup champions, clinched their spot when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets. This result, combined with the Rangers` loss, guaranteed Florida`s playoff entry, despite their earlier loss to Ottawa on the same day.
The Panthers are currently third in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by two points and leading Ottawa by four points.
In the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes have also secured their playoff spots.
Tristan Blackwood