ON THE BRINK: LA Kings Playoff FIGHT or FAIL? Computer vs. Eye Test tells two different stories

It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Now finding a doctor is a little less challenging.

United Health Group is investing in tools that make it easier for patients to navigate

healthcare and pay less.

These transparency tools help patients find providers, and this is the big thing.

Compare costs up front.

The big picture, more transparent pricing, benefits everyone.

And these tools from United Health Group can help patients save hundreds of dollars annually.

Learn more at unitedhealthgroup.com slash commitment.

The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and the open road is calling.

Bring on the spring at the Honda Spring Event and take that road trip you've been dreaming

on.

Now is the time to check out the Honda Civic and HRV from Honda, the 2025 Kelly Blue Books

KVB.com best value brand.

Based on 2025 Consumer Choice Awards from Kelly Blue Book, visit KVB.com for more information.

The LA Kings playoff chances feel like they're on life support.

There is still time, but are the Kings capable of doing what they need to do?

And the Kings be better off not making the playoffs.

You are Lockdown Kings, your daily podcast on the Los Angeles Kings, part of the Lockdown

Podcast Network, your team every day.

Hey Kings fans, welcome to Lockdown LA Kings.

I'm Eddie Garcia on today's show.

We're going to talk about one team that we know is going to make the playoffs, the Ontario

Rain.

We'll discuss the pros and cons of the Kings getting into the postseason this year and

what has been a very inconsistent regular season, but we start with, what is the realistic

chance the Kings will make the Stanley Cup playoffs this season?

Here is the current situation going into Thursday's games.

The Kings have 74 points, they're four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for third place

in the Pacific Division and an automatic playoffs spot.

The Kings do have a game in hand on Vegas, they do not play the Golden Knights in any head-to-head

matchups the rest of the season, Vegas like the Kings are stumbling of late having lost

four or five.

Meanwhile, LA is three points behind the national predators with a final wild card spot in

the West.

Both teams have played the same number of games, 71.

The Kings will face the predators twice before the season ends, April the 2nd and April

the 6th both in Los Angeles and don't forget the Kings because of all the overtime and

shootout points cannot be tied with either Vegas or Nashville in points because they do

not hold the tiebreaker over either of them, which is regulation wins, the Golden Knights

have 24 regulation wins, the predators have 25 while the Kings have just 18.

In an article in the athletic from Wednesday, they had a list of the odds of all the teams

in the NHL making the playoffs.

The article said, quote, the projections are based on 50,000 simulations of the remainder

of the season, which factors in each team's projected strength, current health and strength

of schedule.

Now, despite the Kings writing a losing streak, this article still had the Kings with the

best odds of landing the final wild card spot in the West, even better than the national

predators who are hot right now.

The article had the Seattle crack and had a 5% chance of making the playoffs, they had

the San Jose Sharks at 10%.

The Winnipeg Jets were at 15%.

The Nashville Predators 39% and the LA Kings had a 58% chance of making the playoffs.

Now they projected the Kings to finish with 88 points.

The Kings have 74 points right now, so with my very awful math skills, I still think

I can figure out, the Kings will need 14 out of a possible 22 points in their final

11 games.

So my first question was, have the LA Kings at any stretch of the season over an 11 game

period earned at least 14 points?

And the answer is, yes, they've actually done it twice, but it's been a while.

From October 26th through November 17th, the Kings earned 16 points in 11 games with

a record of 7, 2 and 2.

And from November 9th through December 2nd, the Kings earned 15 points in 11 games with

a record of 6, 2 and 3.

Now obviously they haven't done it in this calendar year, and the Kings haven't even

won two in a row since they did it in January when they won three straight.

The Kings since winning three in a row in January have a record of 6, 9 and 5.

So despite all that, a computer says the LA Kings have the best odds of landing the final

wild card spot in the West.

So that's what the computer says.

What does the I test say?

Well, for me, it's pretty easy.

The Kings have lost four in a row.

And yes, in three of them, they did get a point over time, shoot out losses.

The predators are riding a season high five game winning streak.

I think anyone with any common sense, if you had your choice, you're going to pick the

natural predators to beat the LA Kings for that final wild card spot, which they are currently

holding on to and which they have the tiebreaker over.

Some teams playing their best hockey the season and the other, the Kings are not.

So to me, the I test wins over the computer test, but we'll see.

I hope I'm wrong.

I hope the I test is wrong.

Now there were no games played on Wednesday that had any kind of impact on the Kings playoff

hopes, but on Thursday, there will be some big games.

You've got the predators taken on the devils.

The Golden Knights are hosting the Oilers and the Kings are at the Conucks.

The Kings have to win this game.

And now I'm not saying that because they will not be eliminated if they lose this game,

but they have to win this game.

They have to have two points against the worst team in the NHL.

The Conucks are dead last in points in the NHL as a matter of fact, they're one of only

two teams in the league, the other being the Rangers, which happened on Wednesday to

be officially eliminated from the playoffs so far.

Now if the Kings win against the Conucks, which they have to do, and the predators lose

in regulation, the Kings are one point out of the final wild card spot and they still have

those two head dead games coming up with Nashville.

So certainly realistic.

If the Kings win the Golden Knights lose in regulation, LA would be two points out of third place

in the Pacific and that automatic playoffs spot.

And the Golden Knights are kind of reeling right now.

So look, it's still there, but the way the Kings have played have laid.

I don't know that I'd be surprised at anything that they do in terms of losing.

I hope I'm wrong.

I hope they turn it around.

I hope they get into a playoffs spot, but we'll see.

We'll see if the computer simulation is the reality or if the I test is the reality.

Now I said after the shootout lost to the flames on Tuesday, I have no confidence in this

team doing what that computer says that they're going to do.

Now, could they get hot at the right time?

They could.

Am I expecting that?

No.

You know, if they somehow do not get two points against the Conucks, I, I, I, I, I will

say they're done.

They will certainly will not be officially eliminated.

But in my mind, if the Kings can't beat the worst team in the NHL with all that's on

the line for them, then I, I have officially no hope of this team making the playoffs.

Now would it be a good thing for the Kings to not make the playoffs?

We will talk about that next year on Lock the Nellie Kings, your team every day.

Now finding a doctor is a little less challenging.

United health group is investing in tools that make it easier for patients to navigate

health care and pay less.

These transparency tools help patients find providers and this is the big thing.

Compare costs up front.

The big picture, more transparent pricing, benefits everyone and these tools from United

Health Group can help patients save hundreds of dollars annually.

Learn more at unitedhealthgroup.com slash commitment.

Learning is a natural reset point and if there is one thing that can quietly cost businesses

money, it's messy communications, missed calls, scattered texts, no clear thread of who

said what?

That's why today's episode is brought to you by Quo spelled Q, U, O, it is the smarter

way to run your business communications.

Quo is the number one ranked business phone system on G2 with over 3000 reviews trusted

by more than 90,000 businesses that lets your entire team share one business number.

So you never miss a call texture opportunity.

Everything lives in one clean thread, calls, text, voicemails.

The whole team sees the conversations of nothing falls through the cracks and the AI summaries

saves serious time by logging calls and highlighting your next steps automatically.

It just makes your business feel more organized and more responsive.

Make this the season, no opportunity and no customer slips away.

Like Quo free and get 20% off your first six months at Quo dot com slash locked on NHL.

That's Q, U, O, dot com slash locked on NHL, Quo, no miss calls, no miss customers.

And what if sports were traded like markets?

Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robin Hood prediction markets.

It's not you against the house.

It's you participating in a live market.

You can buy or sell your positions live all game long.

Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter.

Robin Hood predictions markets changes the game.

It's people moving the action.

So when momentum shifts, you can move with it.

I always knew the game, but I never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge.

Now I can actually take part live in a market powered by people.

You're no longer just a spectator play by play.

You decide grade every play with Robin Hood.

Now available across the US download the Robin Hood app now to begin futures and cleared

swaps trading involve significant risk and it's not appropriate for everyone.

Event contacts are offered by Robin Hood derivatives LLC, a registered futures commission

merchant and swap firm.

So if you've listened or watched the show for any length of time, you've probably heard

me say that as a Kings fan, I could never actively root for this team to lose.

I'm just not wired that way.

I don't do it.

I won't do it.

Even if I know deep down, it might be better for them in the future.

So I thought we would look at some reasons why it would benefit the Kings to make the playoffs

this year.

Well, the first benefit is they would still be alive for a chance at winning the Stanley

Cup.

I know it would not be a good chance.

It would be a very small chance.

But so you're saying there's a chance as they said in Dumb and Dumber.

But you know, nothing's guaranteed except you can't win the cup if you miss the playoffs.

We know that.

So if you get in, you still have a chance, even if it's a tiny chance.

So that is a benefit of making the playoffs.

And it look every great story is about a team overcoming the odds, right?

It's possible.

Not likely, but possible.

So as far as benefits of making the playoffs, if you're looking at it from just a business

standpoint, obviously, playoff games are the money makers for franchises.

Now, depending on how far you go, it can be a very big money maker for a franchise.

We're talking millions of dollars per playoff home game.

So clearly, it would benefit the Kings from a business standpoint to earn more money.

And you do that by making the playoffs.

Now if the Kings make the playoffs, it would be a fifth straight season.

The Kings have been in the postseason.

That's something that has only been done in the history, the 58 year history of the LA

Kings on three other occasions.

So if the Kings qualify for the postseason, they would be in rare company within the franchise

and also within the current NHL.

If the Kings make the playoffs this year, only four other current NHL teams would have

longer active postseason streaks than the LA Kings.

So always good to be amongst the best of the best in the NHL from that perspective.

You would have the franchise getting more exposure, generally speaking.

That's good for the franchise.

Let's just be honest, casual fans, the local media, they're going to pay more attention

to the LA Kings if they're in the playoffs.

They're going to get more attention to that than they would if the Kings were just playing

a regular season game.

So brighter spotlight, more exposure, that kind of a thing.

Now usually you would say it would benefit a team to make the playoffs because that's

playoff experience for your roster.

That's really not the case though, unfortunately for the Kings this year because they have

such a veteran roster.

Everybody on the roster for the most part has played in multiple playoff games.

As a matter of fact, if you look at the current Kings roster, there's only two players

who have never appeared in a NHL playoff game that would be Jared Ward and Taylor Wright.

Or excuse me, Taylor Ward.

I just made them into one players.

Jared Wright and Taylor Ward, the only two players in the Kings roster have yet to appear

in an NHL playoff game.

Everybody else has been there before, but hey, I guess it never hurts to get more playoff

experience.

And of course, from a sentimental standpoint, the benefit of the Kings making the playoffs

on Jacoba Teres career doesn't end in the regular season.

The captain would go out playing meaningful playoff games and one final shot at winning

the Stanley Cup.

Yes, a small shot, but a shot is still a shot.

So what are some of the reasons the Kings would not benefit from making the playoffs?

Well, it would snap their streak of four straight years being in the playoffs if they don't

make it.

That means no extra money, and that does get the attention of ownership.

Now, regardless of how much you think a certain ownership group is invested in winning or

not, I promise you, all of them are invested in making money.

That's why they bought the team in the first place.

Even whoever you think is the greatest owner in the NHL, maybe that guy in Utah who seems

like such a fan, does all these great things, spends money, really seems to care about

the team and all that in the fans.

Even that guy is in it to make money.

So if the Kings missed the playoffs, that certainly could be a factor in offseason changes.

If you think that's important, and I think a lot of Kings fans would certainly believe

that if the Kings missed the playoffs, even if they make the playoffs and lose in the

first round again, I think a lot of people would believe that.

So a potential coaching change changes to the roster and maybe even front office changes

if the Kings missed the playoffs.

As far as the coaching change, I think DJ Smith has done what he can on the fly to try and

get this team going in the right direction with limited success.

But if the Kings missed the playoffs, I don't see any scenario in which DJ Smith would

be made the head coach moving forward.

If they make the playoffs, that certainly increases the chances.

But again, we're talking the what ifs if the Kings don't make the playoffs.

And like I said, if they missed the playoffs, I can't imagine a scenario where DJ Smith

is the head coach.

So you have a change there.

If the Kings missed the playoffs, we could certainly see changes in the organization.

Luke Robotai as team president.

He has seen the Kings make the playoffs five times.

They've been eliminated in the first round each time.

And then for them to take a step back this year with all the changes made with the money

spent on bringing in a new GM, firing a coach who you're still going to have to pay to

not coach the team, those things could all factor in to seeing a change in the front office,

to seeing Luke Robotai finally being replaced or stepping down or moving to a different position.

And certainly there are a lot of fans out there that feel like it's time for a different

direction for this organization.

And replacing Luke Robotai would certainly seem to be a step in that direction.

That would be a significant change within the organization.

If the Kings make the playoffs, I think the odds are that Luke would stay.

Certainly if they have success in the playoffs, you got to believe there's not going to be

any changes at all.

So benefits from the Kings not making the playoffs.

You could see a new hand on the runner this year, the LA Kings going forward.

Of course, the other thing would be that the Kings, if they missed the playoffs, would

get a better position in what is supposed to be a very good 2026 NHL draft.

Now as it stands going into Thursday's action, where the Kings are, they would be picking

10th based on current points in the NHL.

Now the Kings picking 10th would also still have a chance at winning the number one overall

pick with the draft lottery.

Only the bottom 11 teams in the league can have a chance at getting the number one overall

pick.

Now it would be a smaller chance if the Kings were at 10, 3.5%.

But again, so you're saying there's a chance.

If they make the playoffs, the Kings would pick no lower than 17th.

So again, missing the playoffs, what's the benefit?

Kings would get a better draft pick for sure.

I guess you could also say if the Kings don't make the playoffs, that's extra rest for

next season.

I mean, this season has been a hard one, especially with the condensed schedule, the Olympic

schedule for guys like Adrian Kempe, Joel Armia, guys that have made the Olympics and played

most of the season, some extra rest might be a benefit if the Kings don't make the playoffs.

So like I said, I cannot actively root against the Kings to lose, even if I feel like it

could benefit them to miss the playoffs.

But I'm also honest enough to say, if I'm being objective and I'm looking at it, are

the Kings better off making the playoffs or missing the playoffs?

I don't know how anyone could honestly say the Kings aren't better off probably missing

the playoffs.

Again, I'm not rooting for that.

I hope that they make the playoffs because that's just the kind of fan I am.

I want to see my team have success.

I want to have that shot at winning another cup, even if it's just this tiny shot.

I want to take our shot.

But again, it's taking a step back, objectively looking at it, the potential for change in

the organization, which I think is needed, getting a better draft pick and what is a deep

draft.

I think those things are clearly more beneficial to the Kings going forward than them having

a slim shot at doing anything in the post season.

If I'm looking at it that way, I got to be honest.

That's probably the case.

We don't have to worry about the Ontario rain missing the playoffs.

They are going to be in the playoffs.

And if the Kings miss the playoffs, when we talking a lot about them, we're going to talk

about them next.

You're unlocked and it like Kings your team every day.

Here's a shift worth noting, better health care is care that meets patients where they

are.

United health group is bringing it directly to living rooms.

This is a win for patients managing chronic conditions.

And here's the interesting thing.

By closing those care gaps, administering in-home exams and identifying risks earlier, more

diseases can be prevented and patient outcomes can improve.

In 2025 alone, United health group patients received over 19 million home visits.

Learn more at unitedhealthgroup.com slash commitment.

College basketball is non-stop, big games, tight spreads, momentum swings every single

night and things are really going to heat up now as the NCAA tournament gets deeper

and deeper.

And now, Fandall is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins

with a college basketball parlay profit boost.

You can build any college groups parlay you want from the traditional powers to the Cinderella

stories, whatever you want.

You can mix spreads, totals and player props to match how you see each game playing out.

And then you can apply the profit boost and instantly bump up the potential.

Pay out.

Get those brackets examined, go save, go bold and follow your team.

You've followed all your long or if they lose pick a new team, it's your parlay, your

style now with more upside behind it head to fandall.com to get started.

That's fandall.com fandall play your game.

Hey, don't forget to check out the every day or club for every episodes and access to

a group chat head to locked on L.A. King's dot supercast.com or tap the link in the show

notes.

Well, the L.A. King's A.H.L. affiliate, the Ontario Rain have not officially clinched

the playoff berth yet, but it is only a matter of time as they are on top in the Pacific

Division.

They are going to be in the playoffs and this is one of the better Ontario Rain teams.

It seems that we've seen in a while, at least since I've been doing this show.

So it'll be great to see them.

There's no downside to the Ontario Rain making the playoffs.

You want those guys to get as many games as possible.

They will certainly benefit from a deep run in the postseason, get those guys as much

experience.

Certainly hoping that we see that.

The King's, excuse me, the rain have played three games since we last had a report from

our Ontario Rain fan correspondent, Don and the San Fernando Valley.

So he checks in to give us a little more detail on how the rain have played lately.

We go back to Wednesday, March the 18th when Ontario was hosting the Abbotsford Connux

and the rain post a three one win.

And Don says that Phoenix Coply made 24 out of 25 saves and was selected the number two

star of the game.

He said the Kenny Connors had a weird goal while lying on his back.

Martin Kromi actually the puck to him and the prone Connors scored on a quick,

desperate sweep shot along the ice that the goalie didn't seem to be ready for.

Now, apparently Don did not know as we learned later that Kenny Connors lost his

skate blade on that shot.

And that's why it was a, as he called it, laying on his back in a desperate sweep shot.

So Kenny Connors.

Yeah, that was the Kenny Connors missing skate blade goal, which I've never seen before.

Connors also scored an empty net goal to put the game away with 15 seconds left for the

first two goal game of his career or for his two goal game, I should say Kenny Connors

was selected the number one star of the game.

He's got 11 goals now on the season at that point.

Cohen Zeemer had a solid game showed physicality and scored his 10th goal the season and the

second period was chosen the number three star.

And Don says Zeemer is starting to look a little more like the power forward.

He was developing into in junior hockey, his scoring and his plus minus are both up.

Next season will be a huge season for him in terms of development to see if he will make

the NHL.

Meanwhile, his present growth spur if it continues will be a big help to the rain down

the stretch and will raise Zeemer's value.

He also said Angus Booth and Krill Krasanov continue to be the number one defensive pair

and they played very well in this game on to Friday, March the 20th.

The Ontario rain were in Iowa to take on the Iowa wild and they would lose in this one

four to one.

And Don said both teams showed energy and some good checking rain didn't score until there

was less than five minutes left in the third period goal was scored by Francesco Pennelli

and assist from demand Angus Booth and Krill Krasanov for Pennelli has 11th goal of the

season.

He said Eric Portillo stopped 23 of 26 shots, but took the loss.

Iowa's fourth goal was an empty netter and Iowa's goal.

He was former King and the rain netminder Cal Peterson, he stopped 20 of 21 shots for

the win.

So Cal Peterson is still bumping around in the hockey world and still getting paid very

well contract.

He got from the Kings.

He's still I think he's still getting paid on that contract, probably the final year

of it.

But anyway, on to Saturday, March the 21st when the rain once again played in Iowa against

the wild and this time the rain would win it three to one.

Dennis Copley stopped 26 out of 27 shots.

Both teams played well with energy checked well, but the rain managed to effectively raise

the game up a notch late to steal or to steal the win.

Score was one nothing Iowa in the middle of the first period until the rain got their first

goal in the last minutes of the second.

Martin Chromiex streaked down the right side and rifled the puck in front of where Nikita

Alexanderov put it in to tie it up at one.

That's his 12th goal of the season.

Last five minutes of the third period Chromiex stole the puck again came in on the right

side where his shot was blocked, but not controlled.

Chromiex went behind the goal, but staying just behind the rear corner of the net, he reached

around and tapped the loose puck in for the goal his 22nd of the year.

In the last minutes, Iowa pulled their goalie, but the rain held them off.

Andre Lee scored the death blow, empty net goal when he outhustled one opposing player

used his acceleration to catch up with the second opposing player who he muscled off the

puck before going in alone and putting in the empty net for his 25th goal of the season.

Chromiex was selected the number one star with a goal and an assist.

And that's a report from Don in the San Fernando Valley giving us details on three games involving

the Ontario rain.

No details from me, but I can't tell you the rain did play tonight on Wednesday night

and they did lose three to one to the Henderson silver night.

So we'll get a report from Don in the San Fernando Valley on that game coming up.

Probably next week, as I mentioned, the rain are on top of the Pacific division.

They have an overall record of 40, 17 and five.

They've got a pair of games coming up this weekend.

Well, Friday and Saturday, they'll be in Tucson to take on the Tucson road runner.

So good things going on for the LA Kings A HL affiliate, the Ontario rain.

Hey, thanks for tuning in and make sure you subscribe and follow Lockdown LA Kings.

So you get all the latest episodes.

If you never miss an episode, the every day or club is built for you.

You get Lockdown LA Kings at free plus members only discord access and more head to Lockdown LA Kings dot supercast dot com for you.

Every day is those you listen to watch Lockdown LA Kings every day.

Our next show will be a recap of what will be God willing, a win by the Kings over the Vancouver canucks.

Well, if they do not win that game, that is going to be a bitter sour episode.

Don't forget at the end of the week, we have our fan feedback show anything on your mind involved in the Kings.

Anything you want to talk about your chance to share your opinions and the email address to get an email in for that is Lockdown Eddie at gmail.com

Eddde or always welcome to post your thoughts.

If you're watching on YouTube in the comments section, you guys do a great job with that.

And we would love for you to stay connected with the show on social media, X Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok.

We're at Lockdown LA Kings.

I'm Eddie Garcia.

If you want to see more of me, you can check out the Lockdown NHL game night YouTube and podcast.

It recaps the night in the NHL.

I'm on the show Thursday through Sunday.

Also the Puck podcast, a weekly NHL review podcast coming up on its 20th year of covering the league.

And if you want to support me and get some extra Kings coverage, there's also LA Kings extra as well.

You can send me an email.

I'll give you the details on that.

All right, again, I'm Eddie Garcia.

Thank you for listening and watching Lockdown LA Kings.

Part of a Lockdown podcast network your team every day.

Have a great rest of your day.

And we'll talk to you next time and as always, go Kings Go.

Zepbound should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound is approved as a 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 milligram injection.

Zepbound contains tersepatite and should not be used with other tersepatite-containing products

or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.

It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.

Do not share needles or pens or reuse needles.

Don't take Zepbound if allergic to it.

Or if you or someone in your family had medillary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine

neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck.

Stop Zepbound and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or a serious allergic

reaction.

Severe side effects may include inflamed pancreas or gallbladder problems.

Tell your doctor if you experience vision changes, depression, or suicidal thoughts before

schedule procedures with anesthesia.

If you're nursing, pregnant, planned to be or taking birth control pills.

Taking Zepbound with a sulfonoluria or insulin may cause a little blood sugar.

Zepbound includes nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney

problems.

Talk to your doctor.

Call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zepbound.lily.com.

Zepbound and its delivery device base in QuickPin are registered trademarks owned or licensed

by Eli Lilly and company.

It's subsidiaries or affiliates.

Few things are as uplifting as the greatest moments in sports.

And nothing brings us together quite like team USA at the Olympic Winter Games.

From NBC Universal's iconic storytelling to the innovative technology across Exfinity

and Peacock, Comcast brings the Olympic Games home to America, sharing every moment with

millions.

When team USA steps onto the world stage, we're not just watching.

We're cheering together.

This winter, we're all on the same team.

Comcast, proud partner of Team USA.

One iced coffee.

99 cents please.

For real?

No way.

Hmm.

One iced coffee.

99 cents please.

For real?

No way.

Hmm.

What a deal.

Your new morning groove.

Ice coffee from McDonald's, any size for just 99 cents to 11 a.m.

Pricing participation may vary.

Can I be combined with any other offer?