Canucks eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Kings

The Vancouver Canucks have known for months that the math was against them.

Being eliminated from playoff contention Sunday still stung.

"We pretty much knew a couple of games ago, it was unrealistic to make it," star centre Elias Pettersson said after the Canucks dropped a 4-1 decision to the L.A. Kings.

While L.A. sealed its post-season spot with the win, it was the Winnipeg Jets' 6-1 routing of the New Jersey Devils that finally snuffed out any lingering hope Vancouver would make a late playoff run.

The Canucks (34-25-7) have now missed the playoffs for three straight years, and for seven of the last eight NHL seasons.

The slump has left a hungriness not only among the players but staff, too, said head coach Rick Tocchet.

"I want to win every game," he said. "It sucks, four months off. But like I said, we've got some really good players here that want to win. And they're going to lead the charge for us this summer."

Kings coach Todd McLellan, meanwhile, said he can "breathe a little bit" knowing L.A. (45-22-10) has clinched its playoff berth.

Alex Iafallo led L.A. with two goals, while Arthur Kaliyev and Blake Lizotte each scored and notched an assist. Anze Kopitar contributed a pair of helpers for the Kings, who were coming off a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

Brock Boeser recorded the lone goal for the Canucks (34-35-7) early in the first period and Thatcher Demko stopped 21-of-23 shots.

#6 jumpin' on those rebounds to make it 1-0