Viktor Arvidsson netted two goals, propelling the Los Angeles Kings to secure a playoff spot with a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames on Thursday evening.
Kevin Fiala and Akil Thomas also contributed goals in a solid victory for the Kings, marking their third consecutive appearance in the postseason. Despite previous first-round exits against Edmonton, the Kings currently hold third place in the Pacific Division, potentially setting up another playoff clash with the Oilers.
“Our goal since training camp was to make the playoffs, and we’ve achieved that step by step throughout the regular season,” remarked Arvidsson. “From my experience with Nashville, I’ve learned that seeding doesn’t necessarily determine playoff success. It’s more about the team dynamic and how we approach each game going forward.”
Cam Talbot recorded 23 saves, with Anže Kopitar providing two assists, as the Kings kicked off a four-game homestand to conclude the regular season under interim coach Jim Hiller.
Although the Kings missed out on clinching earlier with a loss to Anaheim, they swiftly rebounded with a convincing victory over Calgary, securing their fourth win in the last five games.
“It’s a tough achievement, and everyone should feel proud of it,” Hiller remarked on the Kings making the playoffs. “Now, we’re excited to move forward and take the next step.”
Kopitar agreed with Arvidsson’s view on playoff seeding, emphasizing the importance of entering the playoffs with momentum. In 2012, Kopitar and the Kings famously won the Stanley Cup as the eighth seed, proving that seeding isn’t everything.
“Tonight’s game against Calgary wasn’t easy, especially after our performance in Anaheim,” Kopitar commented. “But tonight was a chance for redemption. I think we did a decent job and got the job done.”
Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Flames in the third period, but they’ve struggled lately, losing nine out of their last 11 games as they finish a season without making the playoffs. Flames’ goalie Jacob Markstrom made 26 saves, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Kings, who lost to Calgary on March 30.
“We weren’t prepared for their intensity tonight,” defenseman Daniil Miromanov admitted. “They were aggressive and didn’t give us much room to maneuver. Our transitions and breakouts weren’t effective, and we made too many mistakes in key areas.”
The Kings capitalized on an early penalty by Miromanov, scoring 26 seconds into the power play with Kevin Fiala’s wrist shot. Fiala’s 11th power-play goal of the season also marked his 30th point on power plays, a feat not achieved by a Kings player since 2010.
Arvidsson scored again early in the second period, shooting the puck past Markstrom for his third goal of the season, which has been hampered by injuries. He missed a significant portion of the season due to back surgery and another month with a lower-body injury.
Seven minutes later, Thomas scored his third goal in four games by skillfully redirecting a slap shot from Matt Roy into the net, marking his first career home goal.
Despite spending most of the season in the AHL, Thomas, the Kings’ second-round pick in 2018, has made a strong impression since his NHL debut, possibly earning a spot in the postseason lineup.
He’s the first Kings player to score three goals in his first five NHL games since Brian Boyle in 2008. Arvidsson sealed the win with an empty-net goal late in the game, marking his first multi-goal game since March 26, 2023.
Calgary coach Ryan Huska acknowledged his team’s lack of competitiveness in the first two periods. He felt they improved in the third period but still lacked the necessary intensity and precision with the puck.
