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.
.@34jallen deserves all the hugs tonight. #BluesVictoryGif pic.twitter.com/7XwOYMh3GV
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 14, 2017