Based on the rugged tenor and relentless intensity of Thursday night’s game, it was painstakingly clear how much was at stake for both the Blue Jackets and Kings. Separated by just four points in the standings heading into the game, this was a massive swing game: the Blue Jackets could have closed within two points of the Kings, and on the other hand, Los Angeles had an opportunity to pull back ahead of San Jose for home ice advantage in the West.
And right from the opening face-off, this game was played at a frenetic pace with not much room to operate. It was a textbook playoff game with a few chances on other side, quality goaltending and timely goal-scoring. The difference was a Kyle Clifford tally less than a minute after the Blue Jackets tied the game, giving the Kings a 2-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd at STAPLES Center.
Columbus once again ends the night in sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference, two points ahead of Detroit and Dallas – each with 47 points and a game in hand on the Jackets. Their record stands at 3-1-0 through four of six games on this road trip and they head north to San Jose with another chance to make up ground on the teams above them on Sunday evening.
After tonight’s game, they’ll welcome a couple of days off to get back to 100 percent. The energy was mostly adrenaline tonight, as the Jackets played their fifth game in seven nights and worked feverishly to create chances against a stingy Los Angeles defense. Dalton Prout’s first NHL goal – a snappy wrist shot through traffic – tied the game in the second period, but Clifford answered quickly with the game-deciding goal.
The Blue Jackets had some good looks in the third period and put a number of quality shifts together in the final 10 minutes in search of the tying goal, but Jonathan Quick held them at bay just long enough.
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