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Blues didn’t just beat Kings; they won in regulation

St Louis Blues v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings checks Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues along the boards at Staples Center on January 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The Los Angeles Kings fought hard to try to rally back against the St. Louis Blues, but they simply dug themselves too big of a hole on Monday.

Looking at the standings, you wonder if that might also be the story of their push for a playoff spot:

Wild card races in the West

1. Oilers - 79 points in 68 games
2. Blues - 77 in 68 GP

Kings - 72 points in 68 GP

With every meaningful team outside of the West playoffs losing, the Blues gaining a five-point edge on the Kings is significant enough that St. Louis is likely setting its sights higher.

The Blues are only two points behind Edmonton for a higher wild card spot and two points behind the Predators for the third seed in the Central Division.

David Perron made it 1-0 midway through the game, while Magus Paajarvi scored what would be the game-winner early in the third. Dustin Brown really accelerated the Kings’ charge to tie things up with their only goal, with Alexander Steen’s empty-netter coming really late.

Ultimately, Jake Allen was the clear standout for the Blues’ 3-1 win. Allen stopped 38 out of 39 shots as the Kings carried much of the play. St. Louis is now on a five-game winning streak and might just have the buffer it needs to lock down a playoff spot.