Kings edge Blackhawks in season finale, earn playoff rematch with Oilers
The Kings tie it late in regulation then get the game-winning goal six seconds into OT for a 5-4 victory that – combined with some help from the Ducks – pits them against Edmonton for a third straight postseason
The Kings celebrate after right wing Adrian Kempe scored six seconds into overtime to give them a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings will face the Edmonton Oilers in a best-of-seven first-round playoff series for the third year in a row. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings left wing Trevor Moore, left, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones reach for the puck during the second period of their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel (27) scores against Kings defenseman Jacob Moverare (43) and goaltender Cam Talbot (39) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Kings on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (15) defends against Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Chicago Blackhawks center Philipp Kurashev (23) controls the puck against Kings center Phillip Danault (24) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) defends against Chicago Blackhawks right wing MacKenzie Entwistle (58) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kevin Fiala #22 of the Kings passes the puck away from Frank Nazar #91 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) controls the puck against Kings center Blake Lizotte (46) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cam Talbot of the Kings makes a glove save in front of MacKenzie Entwistle #58 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Jordan Spence #21 during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel (27) controls the puck against Kings defenseman Jacob Moverare (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Alex Laferriere #78 of the Los Angeles Kings skates for the puck with Philipp Kurashev #23 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phillip Danault #24 of the Kings celebrates his goal with Trevor Moore #12, Viktor Arvidsson #33 and Matt Roy #3, to tie the game 1-1 with the Chicago Blackhawks, during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Mikey Anderson #44 of the Kings makes a pass in front of Joey Anderson #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Joey Anderson #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks to pass in front of Kevin Fiala #22 of the Kings during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Quinton Byfield #55 of the Kings celebrates his goal with Phillip Danault #24, to take a 2-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks, during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Quinton Byfield (55) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Quinton Byfield (55) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Arvid Soderblom #40, Jarred Tinordi #25, and Jaycob Megna #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks watch the puck with Blake Lizotte #46 and Trevor Lewis #61 of the Kings during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Arvid Soderblom #40 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks back for the puck in front of Matt Roy #3 of the Kings during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Alex Laferriere of the Kings shoots the puck over Seth Jones #4 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Anze Kopitar #11 of the Kings has the puck knocked away by Alex Vlasic #72 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Arvid Soderblom #40 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts to a goal from Trevor Moore #12 of the Kings, to take a 3-1 lead, during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Alex Laferriere #78 of the Kings skates in with the puck as he is followed by Nick Foligno #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) reaches for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kevin Fiala #22 of the Kings stick handles away from Lukas Reichel #27 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) stops a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Kings on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Kings turns for the puck in front of Jarred Tinordi #25 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Quinton Byfield #55 of the Kings reacts to a shot in front of Arvid Soderblom #40 and Jaycob Megna #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kevin Fiala #22 of the Kings makes a pass in front of Kevin Korchinski #55 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and Chicago Blackhawks center Colin Blackwell (43) reach for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Frank Nazar #91 of the Chicago Blackhawks misses a chance to score on Cam Talbot #39 of the Kings and he is followed by Blake Lizotte #46 and Vladislav Gavrikov #84 oduring the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Ryan Donato #8 of the Chicago Blackhawks takes a hit from Jordan Spence #21 of the Kings as he tries to play the puck during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (15) scores against Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Joey Anderson #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate his goal with Landon Slaggert #84, to tie the game 3-3 with the Kings, during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Kings on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois (80), center Blake Lizotte (46), and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) reach for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Andreas Athanasiou #89 of the Chicago Blackhawks attempts to stick handle around Andreas Englund #5 of the Kings during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philipp Kurashev #23 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts to his delay of game penalty next to Kevin Fiala #22 and Adrian Kempe #9 of the Kings for a Kings power play late during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates with defenseman Drew Doughty (8) and right wing Adrian Kempe (9) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates with right wing Quinton Byfield (55) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Viktor Arvidsson of the Kings celebrates his goal to tie the game 4-4 with the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) reach for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Anze Kopitar #11 of the Kings skate for the puck during the third period in a 5-4 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) controls the puck during overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) shoots and scores during overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Kings won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring during overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Kings won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts to an Adrian Kempe #9 of the Kings goal during a 4-3 Kings overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Kings celebrate after right wing Adrian Kempe scored six seconds into overtime to give them a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their regular-season finale on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings will face the Edmonton Oilers in a best-of-seven first-round playoff series for the third year in a row. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES — The Kings oh-so-narrowly avoided a matchup with the NHL’s second-best team by reaching overtime against its second-worst as they prevailed, 5-4, against the Chicago Blackhawks in Thursday night’s regular-season finale at Crypto.com Arena.
About four hours to the northeast of Chick Hearn Court, the rival Ducks did their part to aid the Kings’ modest last-second ascent in the standings, beating the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights, 4-1. Vegas had gone 14-6-2 against the other seven playoff teams in the Western Conference – the Kings posted an 8-12-3 mark – but lost three of four matchups with the rebuilding Ducks, all by multiple goals. The Ducks finished one spot ahead of Chicago in the final standings.
Vegas’ loss meant the Kings needed just one point to reach third place in the Pacific Division and head to Edmonton to start the playoffs against the Oilers for a third straight season, with Game 1 slated for Monday night. Had they lost in regulation, they would have faced the Dallas Stars.
The Kings took a two-goal lead into the third period, but promptly blew it when the Blackhawks scored three times in five minutes. They secured two points when Viktor Arvidsson scored with 1:21 left in regulation, then Adrian Kempe rifled in his 28th goal of the season from the right faceoff dot, unassisted, just six seconds into overtime.
“It’s hard not to think about the whole picture,” Kings captain Anze Kopitar said. “I guess we kind of knew what the score was (in Las Vegas) going out for the third period, and all that stuff. Didn’t plan on going down one goal, but I guess we got the job done in the end, and we’re going back to Edmonton.”
Kempe and the Kings’ offense bailed out Cam Talbot on a night when he allowed four goals on a meager 13 shots. Kempe added an assist to match the contributions of Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore. Arvidsson and Phillip Danault each had three-point nights, with Arvidsson scoring twice in another huge game for a veteran who missed 63 games this season with injuries.
Ryan Donato had a goal and an assist for Chicago, which scored three goals in the third period to take a lead. Joey Anderson, Tyler Johnson and Lukas Reichel also scored. Arvid Söderblom made 30 saves.
Kopitar said the playoffs were a “blank page and it’s time to start writing on it,” even though the story the Kings have authored throughout the season has been a turbulent one.
“We’ve lost to some teams that we shouldn’t have lost to,” Byfield said. “Those ones are tough, but we’ve got a great leadership group in here with a lot of playoff experience.”
Kempe’s individual effort built on the late power-play goal from Arvidsson, who converted during a 6-on-4 advantage with Talbot pulled for an extra attacker and Chicago’s Philipp Kurashev in the penalty box. Arvidsson popped into the slot to receive the puck from Byfield, who earned his second $212,500 contract bonus of the night for his 35th assist as Arvidsson fired the puck through his countryman Söderblom for his sixth goal of 2023-24.
Byfield will be expected to share that wealth.
“I don’t think he’s getting away with just a couple [dinners]. We’ll make sure it’s a nice team meal, and then some,” Kopitar said.
The 21-year-old Byfield was well aware.
“The goal and the assist tonight are definitely going to cost me a lot,” Byfield said with a smirk as an unidentified voice from the changing room shouted “cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching!”
That smirk was nearly a frown, as the Kings blew their two-goal lead to trail 4-3. A mere 88 seconds into the third period, Chicago halved its deficit and just 2:14 later they erased it completely before taking their second lead of the night at the 6:28 mark.
Forecheck pressure from Jaycob Megna won the puck back for Chicago before MacKenzie Entwhistle chucked it toward the net front, where it was deflected home by Donato.
Landon Slaggert pestered Kopitar into a turnover, then moved the puck ahead to Anderson, the sibling of the Kings’ Mikey Anderson. He showed no brotherly love as he went forehand to backhand to slip the puck past Talbot.
The Blackhawks got the ball rolling in the final period on the power play. With all four Kings penalty killers on the left side of the ice, a simple reversal to Johnson near the right point allowed him to glide forward into the faceoff circle for a shot inside the far post.
After heading into the first intermission trailing, the Kings stacked up three second-period goals to tilt the game in their favor.
Moore stretched the lead to 3-1 with 2:36 left after Jarred Tinordi fell in a heap and into a heap of trouble behind his own net. Danault pounced, moving the puck quickly in front to Arvidsson, who sent it across to Moore for his team-leading 31st goal of the season.
The Kings got their first lead of the night and Byfield got his first point in 10 games and his first goal in 20. It was one that earned him a big bonus to boot, since it was his 20th of the season. During a power play, Danault heaved the puck from the outside of the left circle to the far post, where Byfield had position on Seth Jones for a redirection marker 16:04 into the frame.
Chicago appeared to reclaim the lead with 7:45 showing on the clock but Jason Dickinson’s would-be short-handed goal was nullified on review after it was determined he redirected the puck with a distinct kicking motion. That and the untimely delay of game penalty by Philipp Kurashev that led to Arvidsson’s second goal were pivotal moments.
The Kings drew even 4:37 into the second period. Moore turned the puck in from the offensive blue line down below the goal line, where Danault skated it down after knocking the stick out of Dickinson’s hands. Danault circled the back of the net and weaved into the slot, where he found Arvidsson for a one-timer below the left faceoff dot that hit Söderblom before squeaking through him. It was the Swede-on-Swede crime for the fifth goal of Arvidsson’s injury-plagued campaign.
“He is a game-breaker. He’s shown that in the past, not just with us but with Nashville, too,” Kopitar said. “So it’s good to have him going into the playoffs in good form.”
After mounting an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal, the Kings gave up the evening’s first score just the same when lead feet turned into flat ones for the uncommon defensive pairing of Andreas Englund and Jacob Moverare. The Kings won a faceoff but bobbled the puck, at which point Reichel darted ahead, lobbed the puck between the two lumbering defenders and split them to dart off on a breakaway that he finished with a bit of hesitation before putting the puck away off his backhand.
“Well, we got it done, right?” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “I thought their goalie played very well. It ended up being close because we gave them some chances in the third period. Didn’t think it should have been a close game. We had to gather ourselves and score some big goals.”
Hiller would not commit to a Game 1 starting goalie nor say if he would align the group with 12 forwards and six defensemen or 11 and seven, nor did the Kings know for sure when they would skate in the coming days ahead of what was likely a Sunday flight to Edmonton.
