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LA Kings defeat Calgary Flames 3-0. For a team who were really on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, one would think Calgary would have played with a sense of urgency. Even trailing 2-0 with five minutes left, one would think Calgary would get some good offensive rushes going. But no. They played like a team that thought it had tomorrow. So their penance was that they will have no tomorrow. Although not mathematically eliminated, the Flames might as well be toast. Thank you for playing, we'll see you next year.
For goalie Jonathan Quick, he set the Kings' franchise record for shutout with his ninth of the season surpassing the legend Rogie Vachone's eight in the 1976-77 season. Also the Kings tie a franchise record of ten shutouts in a season set in the 2000-01 season.
As for where the Kings stand they have the Ducks to thank.
Anaheim Ducks defeat San Jose Sharks 3-1. The Sharks started the day in third place in the West. Although the Ducks were officially eliminated from the playoffs in the middle of the game thanks to Dallas and Los Angeles winning, they did both teams a favor. Bobby Ryan opened the scoring in the middle of the second period, but a turnover by Francois Beauchemin allowed Ryan Clowe to tie the game in the next shift.
But in the third period Teemu Selanne got the game winner early in the third period, and Corey Perry nailed the game with a strange empty-netter awarded to him after the referees ruled that Dan Boyle intentionally moved the net off its moorings as Perry took the shot with nine seconds remaining.
By taking the season series 5-1, the Ducks dropped San Jose from third to eighth in the west. Dallas with their win in Edmonton once again takes third in the west while the Kings are seventh. All three teams have five games remaining with San Jose and LA playing a home-and-home.
LA Clippers defeat Phoenix Suns 103-86.
TONIGHT'S ACTION
Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Lakers. 7:30 p.m. TNT, AM 710 KSPN.
