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Kings just ‘decided to turn it around and start winning’

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Three

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 09: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings looks on during the third period of Game Three of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on June 9, 2014 in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The defending Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings were, not long ago, on the outside of this year’s playoff picture. Not anymore.

As of Friday, they’re now in the final Wild Card after shutting out the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Since early February, they’ve gone on an eight-game winning streak, and have won four of their last five games to get back into a top-eight spot in the West.

They’ve been in dire situations before. The San Jose Sharks can certainly attest.

And yet, when it matters the most, the Kings have suddenly been able to overpower their opposition, like it was as simple as flipping on a light switch.

“I think the games just got more important and I think the guys were getting sick of having to talk about why were doing so bad on the road,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty told The Province on Thursday. “We decided to turn it around and start winning.”

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