After beating Columbus in the evening, the Kings opened a three-point lead over the Golden Knights, who have one game left.
Philip Dunault scored his career-high 24th goal, Dustin Brown also scored in the first period, and the Los Angeles Kings took a big step toward reaching the playoffs with a 2-win victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. -1 Saturday night.
Jonathan Quick made 21 saves for the Kings, who finished third, in just their second win in six games. The Kings were unable to find a net again after two goals in the first period, despite beating the Jackets 38-22, but their lead remained.
Los Angeles is in a three-year drought playoff, but its chances of keeping Vegas in third place after a season in the Pacific Division improved earlier Saturday with Edmonton’s win over Vegas in fourth place.
After beating Columbus in the evening, the Kings opened a three-point lead over the Golden Knights, who have one game left. All the last five games in Los Angeles – against teams that are not currently in the playoffs.
Sean Cural scored in the second period, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 36 shots for the Blue Jackets, which opened the three-pointers in California, losing mostly just the second time in six games.
The Jackets formally dropped out of the playoffs earlier that day after Washington’s 8-4 victory over Montreal. Columbus missed the postseason two seasons in a row after earning four consecutive playoff appearances.
Brown scored just 1:41 after opening the throw-in, realizing a pass from Blake Lizot in a 2-on-1 run. The former Los Angeles captain has not scored since March 6, shortly before he missed 14 games in a month of absence due to injury.
Danaolt doubled the advantage of the Kings later in the first with a sharp setup by Victor Arvidson. The goal was Dano’s ninth point in nine games.
Kurali reduced Los Angeles ’lead early in the second when Ohio-born Carson Mayer lifted a pass from behind the net over Quick and straight to Kurali’s stick to score a goal in the central return after a two-game injury.
Andreas Atanasiev has returned from a 17-game absence since mid-March with an upper body injury behind the Kings.
Blue jackets: Sunday to the ducks.
Kings: The Ducks on Tuesday.
