While the Rangers were busy flying back from a huge deficit in the East Coast, the San Jose Sharks were busy piling up that deficit on the Los Angeles Kings out West. After San Jose went up 2-0 in the first period, Michal Handzus brought the Kings within one before the Sharks completely turned on the jets.
Kings Vs. Sharks: San Jose Piles On, Coasts To Pacific Crown With 6-1 Win
Four second period goals later and the Sharks were up 6-1, well on their way to a Pacific Division crown.
The game had serious playoff implications for everybody involved. With the win, the Sharks clinched the division, and with the loss, the Kings failed to not only keep their hopes of a division title alive, but they also failed to clinch a playoff spot.
There's obviously still time remaining, but the Kings' loss means the No. 4 Phoenix Coyotes control their destiny for home ice advantage in the Western playoffs. Los Angeles sits just one point clear of No. 6 Nashville and just four points higher than No. 8 Chicago. It'd take an epic collapse to miss the playoffs completely, but no single position is locked up for them just yet.
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