The Los Angeles Kings have secured their place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, thanks in part to a victory by their division rival.
The Vegas Golden Knights` 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Flames officially guaranteed the Kings a postseason berth for the fourth consecutive year.
In the past three playoff appearances, the Kings were eliminated in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers. There`s a strong possibility of a rematch this year.
The Kings currently hold second place in the Pacific Division, four points ahead of the Oilers, who are in third. If these standings remain, the Kings and Oilers will face off in the first round for the fourth year in a row.
The Kings are the fifth Western Conference team to clinch a playoff spot, joining the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers were the other two teams to secure their playoff positions on Saturday, making the Kings the third team that day.
The Lightning had multiple scenarios that could lead to a playoff berth, including a New York Rangers loss to the Devils in regulation time.
The Devils` 4-0 shutout of the Rangers ensured the Lightning`s spot even before Tampa Bay played later that night against the Buffalo Sabres (a game they lost in a shootout).
This marks Tampa Bay`s eighth straight playoff appearance and their 11th in the last 12 seasons.
The Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 and reached the finals again in 2022, where they were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.
The Florida Panthers also received some assistance in clinching their playoff spot.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions secured their berth when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets. This result, combined with the Rangers` loss, guaranteed Florida`s playoff spot, despite the Panthers losing to Ottawa earlier in the day.
The Panthers are currently third in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and four points ahead of Ottawa.
In the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes have also already secured their playoff positions.
