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Dethroned: Flames eliminate Kings, clinch playoffs

Los Angeles Kings v Calgary Flames

Los Angeles Kings v Calgary Flames

NHLI via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Kings’ title defense won’t even make it until the last game of the 2014-15 season.

The Calgary Flames gutted out a 3-1 win against the Kings on Thursday, clinching their first postseason berth since the 2008-09 season. This outcome also clinches a playoff berth for the Winnipeg Jets (more on the Jets in a post that’s soon to come).

Jiri Hudler hasn’t received the same sort of hype that’s been heaped upon his young linemates Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau, yet he’s in many ways the leader of that trio. He came up huge for Calgary today, scoring two goals and one assist.

(Naturally, the kids weren’t quiet either, as each player on that great line recorded at least one point.)

Jonas Hiller stood tall in his own right, stopping 33 out of 34 shots.

So much for the Flames’ Cinderella run crashing and burning without Mark Giordano, right?

In some ways, this game was a microcosm of the Kings’ failed season, as they generated some impressive puck possession yet hey just couldn’t score enough goals. Los Angeles has been able to grind through underwhelming regular seasons before exploding in the playoffs before, but this time around they won’t get the chance.

They seem to be taking it pretty well, at least from a social media standpoint:

If this wasn’t exciting enough, get this: the Flames’ first-round opponent will be the hated Vancouver Canucks. Buckle up.