Calgary Flames' coach Bob Hartley (Top L) watches players celebrate after an empty-net goal and 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of their NHL game in Calgary, Alberta, Thursday. — AP
LOS ANGELES — Jonas Hiller made 33 saves as Calgary beat Los Angeles 3-1 Thursday, eliminating the defending champion Kings from the postseason and ensuring that there won't be a repeat Stanley Cup winner. After winning their second Stanley Cup title in three seasons last June, the Kings will now miss the playoffs for the first time since 2009. They are also the first champion to miss the postseason the following year since Carolina in 2007. Asked how he felt after the loss, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said: “Disappointed. Embarrassed a little bit. As the defending Stanley Cup champions I don't think there is any way that you shouldn't make the playoffs the next year.” The Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings both clinched playoff spots Thursday despite losing after going to overtime. The St. Louis Blues decided their own fate, clinching the Central Division title by beating the rival Chicago Blackhawks 2-1. The Jets' win touched off a celebration in downtown Winnipeg, as scores of fans gathered with horns and cowbells to crowd surf and sing “O Canada.” The Kings were singing the blues after a two-game swing through the province of Alberta this week proved to be fatal as they also lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday. Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter surprised many by sitting his No. 1 goalie Jonathan Quick in favor of backup Martin Jones against the Oilers, who had lost 14 straight regular season games to the Kings heading into Tuesday's shocking upset. Quick was back in net Thursday but it didn't matter as the Flames got to him early, scoring twice in the opening period. The Flames, who will make the playoffs for the first time since 2009, have 97 points and are in third place in the Pacific Division, two back of the Vancouver Canucks. Jiri Hudler scored two goals while Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and an assist for the Flames, who have won five of their last six contests. Jordan Nolan scored and Quick managed 22 saves for the Kings, who have earned a reputation as a team that plays well when they have their backs to the wall. But they crumbled down the stretch this year, losing their last three. Doughty hinted there might be changes in store over the off season. “It is disappointing especially because of the group we had,” he said. Winnipeg clinched its playoff berth despite a 1-0 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets got some help from Los Angeles. Their one point combined with a Kings' loss put the Jets in the playoffs for the first time since the NHL returned to the Manitoba city over three years ago. Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene scored in the shootout for the Avalanche. Reto Berra made 41 saves and stopped Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd in the shootout. Ondrej Pavelec turned aside 21 shots for his third straight shutout for the Jets, who clinched the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Detroit clinched a playoff berth for the 24th consecutive season despite a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Red Wings one point combined with a Boston loss in regulation to Florida put the Red Wings in the playoffs. Lars Eller scored 1:21 into overtime for the Canadiens, who remained two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division. In St. Louis, Jake Allen made 21 saves for the Blues, who clinched the Central Division title. Rookie sensation Andrew Hammond made 26 saves for his third shutout in 23 games this season and the Ottawa Senators continued their push for a playoff spot with a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. — AP
