Another playoff ticket has been punched.
Technically, the San Jose Sharks didn’t need to beat the Los Angeles Kings to lock down their playoff spot on Monday, but they did anyway via a 5-2 victory.
Much like their in-state rivals from Los Angeles, the Sharks are back in the postseason mix after an unusual break from the action in 2014-15.
Ticket punched to the 2016 #StanleyCup Playoffs. See you April 13, @SanJoseSharks. pic.twitter.com/k6gISikvQB
— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2016
The 5-2 score was a touch deceptive.
Joe Thornton made it 3-2 early in the third period, and then Melker Karlsson’s insurance goal required a review to see if it was kicked in. The Sharks tacked on an empty-net goal, so one could argue this game was closer than 5-2.
DRAMATIC CALL.#LAKvsSJS https://t.co/Gme27vShth
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 29, 2016
That doesn’t really matter though, really, as the Sharks beat the Kings to give themselves a shot at climbing in some form in the Pacific.
Speaking of which, the Ducks were winners beyond edging the Edmonton Oilers tonight. Anaheim trails Los Angeles by one standings point, yet the Ducks hold a game in hand, so the Pacific title race is far from over.
Any worries of the Sharks missing the playoffs again can be put to rest, however, so don’t blame the Sharks for celebrating a bit.
Six Western teams have now clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Dal,StL,Chi,La,Ana,SJ...Just one has done that in the East: Wash.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) March 29, 2016