Keeping Up With the Kings
Photo credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
On Saturday night the Los Angeles Kings had a chance to clinch the Jennings Trophy but failed to do so when they fell 4-3 in a shootout to Anaheim. However, they had (at that moment) at least tied the Boston Bruins, who were idle before their final game of the season on Sunday, against the New Jersey Devils. Thanks to Devils Marek Zidlicky scoring 7:12 into the first period of that game, Jonathan Quick won the trophy outright. Neither Ben Scrivens nor Martin Jones played the required minimum 25 games to have their name engraved on the trophy. Both played 19 games with the Kings and have recorded three and four shutouts respectively. Jones compiled a 12-6-0 record with 1.81 GAA and .934 save percentage while Scrivens had a 7-5-4 record with a 1.97 GAA and .931 save percentage during his brief tenure in LA. Scrivens’s stellar job in net during Quick’s absence was likely key to helping the Kings win the Jennings (stick tap Andrew Lifland).
Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider and Lisa Dillman of the LA Times have reactions from some of the players.
Andrew Campbell has been reassigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. He was recalled on April 4th following an upper body injury to defenseman Drew Doughty. At that time, Vey had been “loaned” to the Ontario Reign of the ECHL due to complications with the cap. It was a paper transaction and he was recalled by Manchester on April 9th. Campbell, who made his NHL debut on Hockey Night in Canada, played three games with the Kings, did not register a point and finished with a +1 rating. The captain will look to lead the Monarchs, who clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference on Saturday, to a Calder Cup as they prepare for a deep playoff run in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Following a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks on April 9, San Jose was officially locked into the second seed as Anaheim took the crown for the Pacific Division. Under the new playoff format, Los Angeles, the third seed in the division, will take on San Jose in the first round. The playoff schedule was released on Sunday once the regular season officially came to a close. It will be a knock down, drag out, bloody fight as these two heavyweight contenders vie for a chance at the Stanley Cup. Whoever escapes will take on the winner of the Anaheim-Dallas series. It is expected to be one of the most exciting series in the first round and likely will not disappoint. There will be no room for error and will come down to which goalie can outperform the guy at the opposite end of the rink. The only disappointing thing about the series is having to see one of the best and strongest contenders go out in the first round.
Jon Rosen took a look at the two teams’ strength down the middle, as well as their postseason history.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
And finally, in case you missed it, Trevor Lewis signed a contract extension on April 8th. One of the hardest working players on the team, Lewis, 27, is a great fourth line player whose versatility has allowed coach Darryl Sutter a greater flexibility when putting together line combinations. He scored a career high six goals this season and was voted Unsung Hero by his teammates.
