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Quick silences Canucks to push Kings into Wild Card spot

Zack Kassian

Zack Kassian

AP

The Los Angeles Kings had an opportunity to claim the second Wild Card seed after the Winnipeg Jets lost earlier tonight and they took full advantage of it by earning a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Quick recorded his fifth shutout of the season by turning aside 19 shots. He’s just one victory away from reaching the 30-win mark for the first time since 2011-2012.

Tyler Toffoli scored his 20th goal of the season and the sixth game-winner of his career late in the first period.

Justin Williams, Anze Kopitar, and Marian Gaborik accounted for Los Angeles’ other three markers.

The Kings have now won four of their last five games and are 12-3-1 over their last 15 contests, in keeping with their recurring theme in recent years of stepping up when the alternative is elimination. Los Angeles now controls the second Wild Card spot and is within striking distance of the third seed in the Pacific Division too, but the squad isn’t safe yet. With Winnipeg just one point behind Los Angeles, even a short losing streak could put the Kings back in a position where they’re forced to play catch up.

Meanwhile, Vancouver has been treading water lately with its 3-3-1 run. The Canucks control the second Pacific Division seed, but like the Kings their playoff spot is far from secure:

Western playoff race

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