Dancing in the Reign: Kings end regular season on high note; OT Winners in Colorado

The Kings entered today’s regular season finale in Colorado with nothing more to do than ensure positive vibes heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mission accomplished. With their 2-1 Overtime victory, the Kings await the start of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks, coming off of an all-around solid performance. Backup goaltender Erik Ersberg got the call in the finale and impressed. With 31 saves, Ersberg may have strengthened head coach Terry Murray and the rest of the organization’s confidence in him entering the postseason. A solid defensive showing held the Avalanche to only one goal, while a poised offense tied the game late; And carried that momentum to clinch the victory in overtime. Below are my notes on today’s regular season finale:

Notes on the game:
– Let me reiterate on Erik Ersberg‘s strong performance. Quite comforting, especially with starting goaltender Jonathan Quick looking shaky in his recent starts. Look for Terry Murray to trust Ersberg if Quick struggles early in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
– As for Colorado’s only goal, you could argue a whistle should have been blown to stop play. Ryan Stoa shot from the top of the right circle and was able to crash the net to bury his own rebound. Can’t really blame Ersberg on this one.
– Another third period comeback results in another victory. This offense has consistently showed the ability to utilize poise and patience facing late-game deficits. Matt Greene‘s decision to put the puck on net was perfect. Jarret Stoll, parked in front of the net, was able to deflect the shot to beat goaltender Craig Anderson to tie the game with only 4:32 remaining.
– The Kings beat Craig Anderson in overtime as Dustin Brown, with great positioning, was able to score on a close-range rebound off of a Drew Doughty shot. The Kings continue to show their force in front of the net, capitalizing on outside shots.
– The Kings (6) will face the Vancouver Canucks (3) in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Keep posted here at Kingscast for a series preview.