Royal Comeback

Archived from 2000-01 season.

After being all but counted out of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings staged a stretch-drive to remember which culminated on Thursday night as the team clinched a post-season berth.

The Kings lost to Vancouver in overtime 3-2, but Phoenix' 3-0 loss in San Jose assured both the Canucks and the Kings playoff spots leaving the Coyotes out.

"Everybody counted us out about a month ago. This team just battled every night through injuries and the Rob Blake trade," said D Mathieu Schneider. "I've never been more proud of a team I've been on. It's been an outstanding year."

In February the Kings traded their captain Rob Blake to Colorado for Adam Deadmarsh and Aaron Miller and acquired goalie Felix Potvin from Vancouver and things started to happen.

Potvin, who had struggled in Vancouver, returned to his old winning form posting a 12-4-4 record with five shutouts and was recently named a player of the week by the NHL.

"We all battled. We should feel proud of ourselves," left wing Luc Robitaille said. "With the goaltending we're getting we could surprise a lot of teams in the playoffs."

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