THE ROOT TO THE PLAYOFFS: Feb. 9th – Feb. 12th
The LA Kings have 30 games left in their 2014-15 season and they will not make the playoffs without significant help from the rest of the league. Knowing which team to root for in any given matchup can be complicated so we’ve put together this handy guide for you.
Rooting Guidelines for games not involving the Kings:
RULE 1 – Always root for an Eastern Conference Team over a Western Conference Team.
RULE 2 – Almost always root for a Central Division Team over a Pacific Division Team.
RULE 3 – Always root for the higher ranked team when two Central Division Teams are playing each other.
MONDAY, February 9th
Vancouver at Minnesota
We’ve reached the point of total confusion. The Kings and Wild are tied with 56 points. The Canucks are 5 points ahead of the Kings but tied with the Flamesfor 3rd in the Pacific (8th in the Conference). The Flames have played more games than Vancouver, Minnesota and Los Angeles, but Winnipeg has played more games than any of them! It might wind up being easier to make it into the top three in the Pacific than it is to earn a Wild Card spot so you might consider rooting for Minnesota to continue knocking down Pacific Division opponents.
The reality is if the Kings have any hope of making the playoffs they have to start passing the teams in front of them.
Root: CANUCKS
ACTUAL RESULT : WILD
Calgary at San Jose
As utterly distasteful as it is, and for the exact same reason as listed above, the trend of rooting for the Sharks must continue. For now.
Root: SHARKS
ACTUAL RESULT : FLAMES
Tuesday, February 10th
Minnesota at Winnipeg
As long as 8th place in the Conference and 3rd place in the Pacific Division remain attainable goals for the Kings, then 7th in the Conference may as well be 1st. Now that the Wild and Kings are tied for 9th place there is even more incentive for Kings fans to root for Winnipeg.
Root: JETS
Wednesday, February 11th
Vancouver at Chicago
Finally, a chance to root against the Canucks!
Root: BLACKHAWKS
Washington at San Jose
You owe us one, Capitals.
Root: CAPITALS
Thursday, February 12th
Winnipeg at Nashville
I honestly didn’t think I’d ever have to write that the LA Kings need the Nashville Predators to defeat the Winnipeg Jets to help their playoff hopes, but here we are.
Root: PREDATORS
Florida at Minnesota
Seriously? The Kings need the Panthers help to stave off the Wild?! Ugh.
Root: PANTHERS
New York at Colorado
Hey, Rangers, sorry about that whole 2014 Stanley Cup Final thing. We cool? OK, we cool. *high five*
Root: RANGERS
