The Los Angeles Kings' uphill battle to make the NHL Playoffs got even more steep after a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Sunday night.
Linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan had a goal and two assists each to lead the Flames over the Kings on their home ice.
Wheels. #LAKvsCGY pic.twitter.com/ktjQDJMLqO — Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 20, 2017
Michael Stone, Mark Giordano and Kris Versteeg also scored for the Flames, and Brian Elliott made 19 saves for his 11th straight win to tie a club record set by Mike Vernon in the 1988-89 season.
Anze Kopitar and Nic Dowd scored for the Kings, who remain six points behind the Nashville Predators for the final Western Conference wild card.
Goalie Jonathan Quick started for the Kings but was replaced by Ben Bishop at 11:36 of the first period after giving up two goals on seven shots. Bishop stopped 14 of 16 shots.
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Mood after 2 periods: pic.twitter.com/2xyTWTMir9 — #LAKings (@LAKings) March 20, 2017
The Flames moved into third in the Pacific Division past the Edmonton Oilers, who will host Los Angeles on Monday.
The Kings are six points behind the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference with just 11 games left in the regular season.
Entering the game on Sunday, L.A. had a slight chance to catch Calgary or the Edmonton Oilers with three head-to-head games between the two Pacific Division foes left on the schedule.
However, after Sunday's loss the Kings are now 11 points behind the Flames and 10 points behind Edmonton with 11 games remaning. Even if the Kings swept the Oilers in their next three games, they would still be four points behind the Oilers with eight other games on the schedule.
Needless to say, L.A. will need to win out or at the very least, go 8-3 the remainder of the way to have a shot at the playoffs.
Up Next:
Kings face a must-win on Monday night in Edmonton against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
