Kings Clinch a Playoff Spot With 4-1 Victory Over Canucks

For the second straight season, the Los Angeles Kings will play a game 83.

They clinched a playoff spot Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

They also eclipsed the 100-point mark for just the sixth time in franchise history with Sunday's win. 

If that wasn't enough, it also marked the Kings' first regulation win against the Canucks since 2018. 

It was a sloppy first 20 from the Kings, who looked like a team out of gas in the second night of a back-to-back. 

Brock Boeser did what Brock Boeser does and scored against the Kings. Beating out Alex Edler in front to bury a rebound five minutes in. And after that goal, it was all Canucks. 

But, just past the halfway point of the period Alex Iafallo got the Kings back into the game. 

Off an excellent passing play after a faceoff, Iafallo wired home an Anze Kopitar feed to tie the game at one.

The Kings were still a little sloppy even after the goal but went into the intermission tied at one.

Alex Edler didn't return to the game after the first period because of an undisclosed upper-body injury, leaving the Kings with five defensemen for the rest of the game.

The Kings needed to capitalize on the man advantage coming up against the league's worst penalty kill in Vancouver. And they did exactly that early in the second. 

Viktor Arvidsson came out of the corner and beat Thatcher Demko but hit the post. Iafallo was Johnny on the spot though and fought in front to put him the loose puck.

Vancouver continued to apply pressure in the second, but Joonas Korpisalo stood tall and couldn't be beat. 

The Kings went into the break up one.

Despite the back-to-back situation, the Kings actually grew into the game and looked solid in the third.

They killed two important penalties, with some help from a goal saving poke check from Iafallo. 

Arthur Kaliyev grabbed an important insurance goal 13 minutes in.

After coming down the right wing and having his shot blocked, Kaliyev swiped at his own rebound and beat Demko over the shoulder.

The Canucks tried to apply pressure late, but couldn't solve Korpisalo.

It was Korpisalo's first win of the road trip despite two strong games prior. 

The Kings have an important week coming up in their chase for the division title. Playing the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday and Vegas Golden Knights Thursday. 

This week will likely decide the division title and the Kings are within striking distance.