Defending Champions Los Angeles Kings To Miss Post-Season First Time In Six Years After 3-1 Loss At Calgary Flames

Defending champions Los Angeles Kings will miss the playoffs this season after a stunning 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, who will be playing in their first post-season in six years. It’s the first time since the 2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes that a defending champion has missed the playoffs the next season.

The Flames were up 2-0 on goals within 15 minutes of the start of the game, with goals by Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler. Gaudreau’s goal in the 13^th minute had to be reviewed and it was confirmed that the shot had crossed the goal line after hitting the shoulder of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. Hudler’s shot, however, needed no review, having been rifled in from the high slot by the left winger. The Kings then pulled one back in the fifth minute of the third period. But the Flames held on and Jiri, who had earlier assisted Gaudreau’s opener, scored with 50 seconds left in the game to spark wild celebrations in the Calgary camp.

The Kings failed to win a single game in its three-game road trip to Canada. They lost to the Vancouver Canucks in a shoot-out, even to the lowly Edmonton Oilers and finally the Flames Thursday night. They were on a five game losing streak in away games, and their last win outside L.A came against the Islanders on March 26. They now close out their season against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Calagary will close against the Winnipeg Jets.

“As a defending Cup champions, I don't think there's any way you shouldn't make the playoffs the next year. We have so many good players and definitely have a great team and weren't able to show it consistently. I don't know what to say, it's just disappointing that we're done,” Kings defensive anchor Drew Doughty told reporters after the game.

The Flames will face Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs but will have to wait to find out where the season will begin. The Flames are two points behind Canucks in the Pacific Division and have the tie-breaker in their favour.

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