Kings clinch berth in playoffs after missing last season

The Los Angeles Kings clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday.
The Kings (44-28-8) qualified when the St. Louis Blues lost 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

"Actually for us, as hockey people, you're interested in seeing the whole league and what the matchups are going to be ...," Kings coach John Stevens said Wednesday.
Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2013-14, Los Angeles has made the playoffs once, losing in the Western Conference First Round in 2015-16.
The Kings, who hold the first Western wild card into the playoffs by three points over the Colorado Avalanche, are one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for third place and two behind the San Jose Sharks for second in the Pacific Division.

Los Angeles hosts the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and finishes the season Saturday at home against the Dallas Stars.
"We still look at these games as important for two ways," Stevens told L.A. Kings Insider. "One, we want to get as high as we can, and two, we want our team game in order. We're not 65-0 right now and in a position to start resting guys. I think we're focusing on each game just like we have all along. We need to get our team game in order, and these points are important for us."