LA Kings lock up playoff spot for 2nd straight season

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 2: The Los Angeles Kings celebrate their win against the Vancouver Canucks with Joonas Korpisalo #70 after their NHL game at Rogers Arena April 2, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Los Angeles Kings win 4-1. (

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Alex Iafallo scored twice, Joonas Korpisalo made 21 saves and the Los Angeles Kings wrapped up a playoff spot with a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.

Los Angeles improved to 45-22-10, winning for the second straight night after topping Seattle on Saturday.

"That’s a hell of an accomplishment for our group," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "I thought tonight was a tough night for us to play, a lot of heavy games on this trip and to play back-to-back, short turnaround, complete team win tonight."

Arthur Kaliyev and Blake Lizzote — into an empty net — each had a goal and an assist for the Kings. Anze Kopitar added a pair of assists.

Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks and Thatcher Demko stopped 21 shots. The Canucks were eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the night when Winnipeg beat New Jersey. Vancouver has missed the playoffs three straight years and seven of eight.

"We pretty much knew a couple of games ago, it was unrealistic to make it," center Elias Pettersson said. "But we still play with pride and try to build for next season. So these games are important. We have (five) games left to build."

Iafallo put away his second goal of the night — and 14th of the season — on a power play 3:25 into the second after Jack Studnicka was called for tripping.

Arvidsson fired a shot off the post and the rebound fell into traffic in front of the Vancouver net, where Iafallo muscled it in to the Kings a 2-1 lead.

With Vancouver’s Anthony Beauvillier and L.A.’s Quinton Byfield in the box, Iafallo ripped a one-timer past Demko from the bottom of the faceoff circle for his first goal of the night.

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