Is Saturday the first "must win" game?

[PSP]

Toronto just got eliminated officially from the payoffs, so they should be ripe for a loss. Unfortunately, San Jose hosts Nashville on Saturday, so one of the other teams with 79 points will get 2 points. That means the Kings will still be out of the wild card position no matter what they do with San Jose on a little hot streak AND one game in hand

 

[JC6388LAKings]

Any last remaining games for the Kings should be "must lose" instead. I'd rather the Kings miss the playoffs entirely so that they won't have the pleasure of getting trounced by Deadmonton or Vegass again aside from the top ranking Central Division teams should the Kings draw either one of the latter three.

 

[Dr. Tran]

Every game is a must win until they either clinch or are eliminated.

 

[Clif]

You said it. They don’t control their own destiny = must win game already happened.

 

[Birdman]

That was the game they threw away up in Seattle back in December (Which I was at)

 

[The Nuts]

Yes, last Saturday

 

[JWR]

Giving an honest answer I am leaning towards hoping that the Kings end up not making the playoffs this year.
We would then be in the draft lottery as well as it would remove any thoughts of retaining Smith and allow us to get a proper coach. Heck it might give management a reason to replace Luc.

 

[DryKing]

Giving an honest answer I am leaning towards hoping that the Kings end up not making the playoffs this year.
We would then be in the draft lottery as well as it would remove any thoughts of retaining Smith and allow us to get a proper coach. Heck it might give management a reason to replace Luc.

100% agree. I won't cheer for the Kings to lose the rest of the season, but at the same time I won't be mad at it if they do. We need to focus on rebuilding our prospect pool and finding a long-term head coach in the offseason. If we can pull in a draft pick who is ready to join the team next season (likely a lottery pick) that would be even better.

 

[VCRW]

I have been watching this part of the season, post Olympics, just to see Kopi break Dionne’s record and to see Juice score 30+ goals. With this motley mismatched crew on defense, the Kings were never a real playoff threat. After losing Fiala, it was pretty obvious they were cooked - even with the addition of Panarin. Finishing out of the playoffs is an opportunity to reset. Sure hope the Kings take it.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

must lose !

 

[deathb4dux]

Any last remaining games for the Kings should be "must lose" instead. I'd rather the Kings miss the playoffs entirely so that they won't have the pleasure of getting trounced by Deadmonton or Vegass again aside from the top ranking Central Division teams should the Kings draw either one of the latter three.

I agree. I don't want a playoff spot to fill my mind with any false hopes only to see them dissolve over the course of 5 games.

 

[jom]

I'm hoping for a "must lose" as well. I truly believe that no real change will happened unless something hinders the cash flow to the ownership group. The best way for that is miss the playoffs. Maybe the hockey management will re-build the team (either re-tool or re-build) more diligently this time.

The down side is Kopitar ending his career in such a way....unfortunate but in the long run it's best for the team, IMO.

jom