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Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season

TOKYO — It’s only two games to start the Major League Baseball season — the World Series-champion Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome.

For the record, the MLB regular season consists of almost 2,500 games.

But it’s much more for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Japan. And for Shohei Ohtani and the four other Japanese players competing at home for the Dodgers and Cubs.

Then there’s MLB, which opens its regular season for the second straight year in the Asian market. A year ago it was Seoul, South Korea, where the Dodgers and San Diego Padres split two games. It was also where the betting scandal broke around Ohtani’s interpreter.

“It’s hard to tell if this is the golden age for Japanese players in the United States,” Ohtani said, speaking through an interpreter, as both teams trained at the Tokyo Dome.

“I know there’s been a lot of Japanese players that came before me,” Ohtani added. “But having five (Japanese players) is a big deal. It’s truly a big deal.”

Asked what he was most looking forward to, Ohtani replied: “Eating good food, getting over the jetlag, and just being able to enjoy playing the game.”

Roberts back in Japan

It’s a homecoming for Roberts, who was born on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa to a Japanese mother and an American father. He’s expecting relatives to attend from Okinawa, where last year he was honored by officials there.

“For me it’s personal because I get to represent my mom’s side of the family,” Roberts said. “I have a lot of relatives and family that can watch this baseball game — watch a Dodgers game at night instead of having to watch us in the morning.”

The time difference between Japan and the American east coast is 13 hours, and Japan is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Japan is Dodgers country, swept away by Ohtani, the World Series title, and pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. They are expected to be the Dodgers starters against the Cubs.

“I think our mission was accomplished painting the country of Japan in Dodgers blue,” Roberts said.

Yamamoto and Ohtani talked about the joy of being home, as did Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, the likely DH. Imanaga is expected to start against Yamamoto in the first game.

“I hope my teammates are really enjoying Japan right now,” Ohtani said. “But also I hope the fans get to see my teammates enjoying Japan.”

Ohtani says pitching on track

Ohtani was reminded that he has not thrown a bullpen session in several weeks as he hopes to return to pitching after missing out last season following elbow surgery.

“I want to prioritize the hitting aspect as we’re getting into the season, to give a little breather mentally and physically to the pitching side of thing,” he said. “This is according to plan and I’m pleased with how things have been going.”

Sasaki with something to prove

For Sasaki, it’s different. The 23-year-old signed with the Dodgers two months ago and needs to prove himself, though many feel he’s a can’t-miss prospect.

“I literally was in Japan until a couple of months ago,” he said through an interpreter. “For me it’s more about being able to pitch in a different uniform on a different team and make sure I do perform at my best.”

Sasaki met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his office and gave him an autographed Dodgers cap. He was accompanied by Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

“I’m truly happy that the Dodgers are opening the season in Japan,” Japanese media reported Ishiba as saying.

Cubs party with Imanaga and Suzuki

Cubs manager Craig Counsell talked about a party thrown by Imanaga and Suzuki to welcome the other Cubs to Japan. For most it’s the first visit.

What impressed Counsell was a large tuna that was carved up in a ceremony at the party. Sashimi and sushi for all.

“We had tuna cut open,” Counsell said. “Some of the players participated in that, which was scary for a second with players with knives in their hands. But other than that it was great.”

Counsell said the trip to Japan was about “kizuna,” which is the Japanese word for bonding. He’s obviously been schooled by his Japanese players.

“That started for our team last night with the great party and being able to be together,” Counsell said.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For The Penguins And Islanders?

Rickard Rakell (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

The Pittsburgh Penguins were among the busiest teams at last week's NHL trade deadline.

In the 48 hours leading up to the March 7 deadline, they shipped out Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators for Luke Schenn and Tommy Novak, flipped Schenn to the Winnipeg Jets, sent Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks, dealt Anthony Beauvillier to the Washington Capitals, traded Cody Glass to the New Jersey Devils and acquired Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar from the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The Athletic's Josh Yohe reported there was “heavy interest” in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell. One of those clubs was the Edmonton Oilers. On March 8, TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported the Oilers looked into Rakell's availability.

Yohe indicated the Penguins set a high price for the 31-year-old Rakell. He believes GM Kyle Dubas didn't expect anyone to meet it, adding that they never really wanted to move him.

Erik Karlsson is another story. Yohe believes Dubas discussed moving the 34-year-old defenseman with several teams, suggesting that Karlsson's puck-moving skills could be valuable on a good team where his defensive flaws could be offset.

Yohe cited two NHL sources claiming Karlsson could be moved this summer if Dubas is willing to retain $3 million of his cap hit. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5-million average annual value, with the Sharks holding the rest.

With the salary cap projected to rise to $95.5 million for next season, Dubas could try to find a club willing to take the entirety of Karlsson's cap hit off the Penguins' books. Nevertheless, teams will likely squeeze him to retain part of it.

Flyers Vs. Penguins: Who Will Be Cup Contenders Sooner?Flyers Vs. Penguins: Who Will Be Cup Contenders Sooner?Remember when the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry was arguably the best in the NHL, matching hated cross-state rivals who were usually among the league’s elite?

Shifting our gaze to the New York Islanders, defenseman Noah Dobson surfaced in the rumor mill after it was reported he changed agents a couple of weeks before the trade deadline. However, Ethan Sears of the New York Post reported they weren't shopping Dobson, nor was the 25-year-old blueliner seeking a trade.

Dobson will become an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1. He indicated that the change of agents occurred well before the report emerged in the press.

Meanwhile, The Athletic's Arthur Staple reported the Islanders didn't float Jean-Gabriel Pageau's name in the trade market before the deadline. He anticipates Pageau and captain Anders Lee could be shopped in the off-season as management attempts to make the roster younger. He also speculated that Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield could be bought out in June.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Tokyo Series will showcase the depth of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball

TOKYO — The spotlight will be on slugger Shohei Ohtani when the superstar returns to Japan and leads the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the first two games of the Major League Baseball season at the Tokyo Dome.

He won’t be the only one playing in front of his home country.

Four other Japanese players — LA’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, along with Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga — will be on the field in a display of how deep the talent pool is in the country.

The outsized attention on Ohtani is understandable: He’s coming off one of the best seasons in MLB history and won his third MVP award after becoming the first player to hit at least 50 homers and steal at least 50 bases in the same season.

Ohtani had offseason surgery on his left shoulder following the World Series but is expected to start at designated hitter for the Dodgers in Japan after hitting .353 with two doubles and a homer in spring training.

The other four Japanese players are all accomplished in their own right. Here’s a look at each player as the opener approaches on March 18.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP

Yamamoto came to the Dodgers before last season, signing a 12-year, $325 million deal that was somewhat overshadowed by Ohtani’s monster 10-year, $700 million deal.

When healthy, Yamamoto was very good in his first big league season, finishing with a 7-2 record, a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 90 innings. He was also solid in the postseason with a 2-0 record and a 3.86 ERA.

Yamamoto missed about three months last season with a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old has been healthy so far this spring and will be the starting pitcher for the season opener.

He played seven seasons for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan before coming to the U.S., where he had a 70-29 record along with a miniscule 1.82 ERA.

Seiya Suzuki, Cubs, OF/DH

The 30-year-old Suzuki has been an important part of the Cubs lineup for the past three seasons. He just finished his best season in the big leagues, batting .283 with 21 homers, 73 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 27 doubles.

Suzuki has played most of his games in right field for the Cubs, but is just an average fielder. Manager Craig Counsell says Suzuki might be utilized more as a designated hitter this season after the addition of All-Star Kyle Tucker, who the team acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros.

He played nine seasons for the Hiroshima Carp before signing with the Cubs, batting .309 with 189 career homers.

Roki Sasaki, Dodgers, RHP

Sasaki is the youngest of the Japanese players in Tokyo for the series at 23 years old.

This is the lanky 6-foot-2 right-hander’s first season in the U.S. after playing four seasons for the Chiba Lotte Mariners, where he had an overpowering fastball that could touch 100 mph. He’s dealt with injuries over the past few years, which has limited his time on the mound.

Even so, Sasaki was electric in his spring training debut, striking out five over three scoreless innings. His fastball was clocked in the high 90s and he has a devastating splitter that coaxes plenty of swing-and-miss.

Sasaki signed a minor league contract that had a signing bonus of $6.5 million, though he’s expected to be on the big league roster. Because he’s under 25 and did not have six years of service time in Japan, Sasaki was considered an international amateur by MLB’s rules and was limited to a minor league deal with a limited signing bonus.

Shota Imanaga, Cubs, LHP

The 31-year-old Imanaga made an immediate impact last season with the Cubs, making the National League All-Star team and finishing with a 15-3 record and 2.91 ERA. He’s expected to be the team’s ace in 2025 and will pitch against Yamamoto in the first game in Tokyo.

Imanaga doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, with the pitch usually sitting in the low 90s, but the left-hander has a quality splitter and mixes his pitches well. Before coming to the U.S., he pitched eight seasons for the Yokohoma BayStars and was 64-50 with a 3.18 ERA.

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Sabres Call Up Promising Forward Prospect

Tyson Kozak (© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Tyson Kozak from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. 

Kozak, 22, has played in his first 11 NHL games this season with the Sabres, where he has one goal and a minus-2 rating. His last appearance was against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 31, where he had 10:02 of ice time in 15 shifts.

Kozak has taken a step forward offensively down in the AHL with Rochester this season, posting new career-highs with eight goals and 14 points in 31 games. This is after he had five goals and 12 points in 41 games last season with Rochester.

Kozak will now look to make an impact during this latest call-up to the Sabres' roster from here. If he does well, it would help his chances of sticking around with the NHL club. 

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NHL Nugget: Rangers' J.T. Miller's Birthday Backcheck

J.T. Miller (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Birthday Backcheck features New York Rangers center J.T. Miller, who turns 32 years old on March 14.

Miller is in his second stint with the Rangers after the team drafted him 15th overall in 2011. During his first stint, he became the first Rangers player to have a multi-goal game in more than two decades. He then played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks before returning to New York.

 Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.    

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Analyzing Knicks' potential first-round matchups for 2025 NBA playoffs

With the NBA playoffs just one month away, the Knicks find themselves firmly in the third seed in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games behind the Celtics for second and 5.0 games ahead of the Bucks in fourth.

There’s plenty of uncertainty as to how they close out the season without Jalen Brunson, but barring an unforeseen disaster, they’re highly likely to end up matched up with the Bucks, Pacers, or Pistons in the first round. 

Let’s dive into each of these potential opponents and see how they stack up against New York...

Bucks

The Bucks have failed to recapture their bonafide contender status since winning the 2021 NBA Finals, despite their blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard -- but their deadline deals for Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr. and former Knick Jericho Sims have given them a top-five defense since early February and a 10-6 record over that span.

They also boast the still-dominant Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s only lost his MVP sheen due to his team’s performance.

New York hasn’t played the new-look Bucks yet, but they have a meeting slated for late March after dusting them in a pair of blowouts earlier this season. The weaknesses displayed in those losses haven’t fully been addressed and New York is primed to take advantage in a potential first-round series. 

Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 31 points in those wins, a stylistic nightmare for Milwaukee’s opposing center Brook Lopez. Lopez is a good defender, but he lacks the mobility to cover the space created by Towns and his ferocious driving game.

Expect them to hide Lopez on Josh Hart out of the gate and force Towns to find his spots against their wings -- a popular look that’s worked well for better teams. New York will have to get creative getting Hart involved in on-ball actions and be willing to sit him for a shooter in response. 

Despite their high-level defense, the Bucks also don’t have a great individual answer for Jalen Brunson, who had a surgical 44 points on 26 shots during their last matchup. Milwaukee's guards are lacking defensively, so they will likely be hidden on New York’s wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, who will need to step up and take advantage offensively.

Brunson will see his fair share of Kuzma, Taurean Prince and Porter, consistent with how foes have guarded him using big wings during the regular season and last year’s playoffs. Fans shouldn’t doubt Brunson’s ability to figure them out one-on-one, but New York would be smart to emphasize his playmaking and other preferable assignments on the floor.

Even with the roster changes, New York measures up nicely with the Bucks. Their offense is average and not much improved since the trades -- it's a stilted and star-dependent system that the Knicks have the personnel to deal with.

They won’t kill New York on the offensive glass, but love to push the ball and can be dangerous if the Knicks let their role players get going. This feels akin to the 76ers series last year -- a star-heavy, tough but beatable matchup that doesn’t pose huge stylistic threats.

Pacers

New York is very familiar with Indiana, having been bounced by them in a seven game series in the second round last year.

But circumstances have changed dramatically since then -- half the Knicks were out due to injury/hurting during that series and the other half were largely traded/lost in the offseason. With that being said, the Pacers are still very much in line with last year’s version.

They boast a top-10 offense behind their engine, Tyrese Haliburton, and a much more comfortable Pascal Siakam, who is having an All-Star season. Benedict Mathurin missed the Knicks series but is healthy and having a career year, averaging 25.3 points in his three games against New York.

Indiana’s defense is at about league average -- a bump from last year but still their Achilles heel.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York took two of three games against Indiana this season, including one on the road and a home-opener rout. 

This one is more of a clash of approaches. The Pacers are top 10 in pace behind a young, athletic, high-scoring team. A potential series will come down to how well the Knicks can limit them to the half-court and keep them off the boards.

There shouldn’t be much new they can throw at Jalen Brunson when he has the ball in his hands, and he’s proven their individual defenders can’t hold him without help. One thing the Pacers did well was limit his high-efficiency looks -- threes and free throws -- but their attention should be a bit more divided with Towns in the picture.

Towns averaged 30.3 points in the three games against the Pacers this season, and should be expected to dominate his matchup with Myles Turner, who hurt the Knicks last season.

This series is definitely the most favorable to those who prefer narratives, with these two holding a long-time rivalry and the Knicks seeking revenge, and may arguably be the most favorable for a quick Knicks advance as well. 

Pistons

The new kids on the block have made their mark, breaking out with a 37-30 record and top-10 defense. They’ve especially given the Knicks problems, up 2-1 in the season series with a final meeting scheduled in April.

It’s no surprise why -- Detroit is another young and athletic team as opposed to the older, slower Knicks, and they have strong depth off the bench. They’re a top-10 offensive rebounding team and are top-five on the other end, so New York needs to devote a lot of energy to the possession battle.

They also relentlessly attack Brunson defensively with their 6’6” former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, who just made his first All-Star team. In their two wins over New York, Cunningham put up a 29-point triple-double and a 36-point outburst, though the Knicks left plenty of adjustments off the table.

Cutting off the head of the snake is crucial to the Knicks in this series. The Pistons are somewhat limited in creation beyond Cunningham, with the onus falling on Jaden Ivey and a hodgepodge of reliable but more complementary veterans. 

Those vets will help guide the young Pistons through their first playoff experience -- a huge factor in a potential series.

The postseason is an entirely different game, and the shift from the regular season can give new teams whiplash before they get a chance to adjust -- see the Cavaliers in 2023 or the Knicks in 2021. 

One might think this isn’t relevant to a Knicks strategy against the Pistons in a series, but they lost these regular season games due to a lack of focus and execution. They committed an uncharacteristically large amount of turnovers that let the Detroit offense get running and punching above its weight. 

If New York can limit those turnovers and show poise defensively and on the boards at a level the Pistons shouldn’t be accustomed to, this should be a confident series for them. However, they can’t underestimate them or it will be an embarrassing first-round out.

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Parsons confidently states Steph's 3-point record can't be broken

Parsons confidently states Steph's 3-point record can't be broken originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Former NBA player Chandler Parsons believes that Steph Curry’s 3-point record is unbreakable

For Parsons, there’s no way anyone will match Curry’s eventual final total, which currently sits at 4,000 career 3-pointers.

“I think all records are meant to be broken, not this one,” Parsons said on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” on Friday. “It can’t be done. I don’t think someone [else] is going to shoot so efficiently. The dude shoots 42 percent from the [three-point line] for his career. And he takes a boatload of them and he’s so consistent. We will never see it again.

“A lot of guys can shoot the ball, a lot of guys can create space, nobody does it in as big of moments as him. No one does it as clutch as him. Think about this summer, with what he did in that gold medal game. It’s just ridiculous what he does. It’s an honor to watch this due play basketball, like it’s crazy. Every single night he steps on the floor, he does something that mesmerizes you and he continues to do it.”

In theory, NBA records are meant to be broken, but a select few are so far beyond the capabilities of any normal player that they’re unlikely to be surpassed. Wilt Chamberlain’s 23,924 career rebounds, or his 100-point game, also belong in this category.

While the entire league has shifted towards long-range shots, Curry is such an outlier that it’s incomprehensible. Los Angeles Clippers superstar James Harden is next on the all-time 3-pointers list at 3,127, but it’s unlikely he — or anyone for that matter — can catch the 37-year-old.

For one, the 35-year-old Harden is at the tail end of his career, and there’s not enough time to chip away at the gap. Second, Curry still is playing at an elite level and shows no signs of stopping, so it’s conceivable that he could end his career with around 5,000 3-pointers.

It’s one thing to take a lot of long-range shots, but another to make them consistently. Curry does both things so much better than anyone else that it’s hard to imagine a player who could match him.

When No. 30 decides to hang it up and retire, expect his record to be on another plane of existence, far out of the reach of any future NBA players.

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Golden Knights Sign Adin Hill To A Six-Year Extension

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed goaltender Adin Hill to a six-year, $6.25M AAV contract extension.

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill (33) makes a pad save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

The 28-year-old is enjoying his third season with the Golden Knights, posting a career-high in games played with 17 games remaining on the schedule.

In the 39 games he's played, Hill has posted a .906 SV% and a 2.53 GAA. The save percentage is the lowest of his three years in Vegas, but the numbers have been steadily rising as the season has progressed. 

The Golden Knights defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, and Hill recorded his fourth shutout of the season, turning away 27 shots. 

The Golden Knights and GM Kelly McCrimmon placed a lot of trust in Hill when they elected to trade away Logan Thompson. Thompson has been enjoying a great season with the Washington Capitals, but the recent performances by Hill have put fans at ease about the decision the franchise made. 

McCrimmon has been busy this season with re-signings. Last season, he watched multiple integral players leave in free agency and seems determined to avoid doing so this season.  During the 2024-25 campaign, McCrimmon has re-signed Brett Howden, Keegan Kolesar, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore. He's also handed out entry-level contracts to Trent Swick, Kai Uchacz and Braeden Bowman. 

With the salary cap rising, McCrimmon has put the Golden Knights in a better position to chase after free agents, instead of replacing key players. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Mets vs. Cardinals spring training: How to watch on SNY on March 14, 2025

The Mets continue their spring training slate against the Cardinals on Friday on SNY at 6:10 p.m.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Kodai Senga is making his second start of the spring
  • Brett Batyhas a 1.110 OPS this spring
  • The Mets break camp 10 days from today ahead of Opening Day on March 27 against the Astros in Houston
CARDINALS
METS

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Francisco Lindor, SS

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Juan Soto, RF

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Starling Marte, DH

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Mark Vientos, 3B

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Brett Baty, 2B

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Luis Torrens, C

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Jose Siri, CF

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Joey Meneses, 1B

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Tyrone Taylor, LF

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App and SNY.tv will be discontinued by Opening Day.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here. 

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For surging Kings, elusive playoff success could start with home-ice advantage

Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele (37) celebrates with teammates after a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, celebrates with teammates after his first-period goal opened the scoring Thursday. (Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

The biggest obstacle to a long playoff run for the Kings may be the airport.

Provided the Kings make the playoffs, of course, and right now things are looking pretty good. With a dominant 3-0 win Thursday over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings jumped over Edmonton into second place in the Pacific Division and moved within six points of first-place Las Vegas.

The win was the team’s fourth in a row, its longest winning streak in more than two months. But it wasn’t just that the Kings won; it was how they won and where they won that mattered.

They controlled every phase of the game, outshooting and outhitting the physical Capitals. They scored a power-play goal while killing five penalties of their own. And they shut out the highest-scoring team in the league while stopping Ovechkin, the second-highest-scoring player in history, leaving him nine goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record of 894 career goals.

Read more:Kings shut out Capitals, hold Alex Ovechkin without a shot in pursuit of Gretzky mark

“That was as complete as it's been all year,” coach Jim Hiller said of his team’s effort. “We had a game plan. We adhered to it as well, for 60 minutes, as each player can.”

That’s how they won. Where they won is just as important.

The Kings have lost in regulation just three times in 29 games at home this season, the best record in the NHL. On the road, their 17 losses are the most among likely Western Conference playoff teams. So if the team begins the playoffs with a trip to LAX, its postseason run could be a short one.

Which wouldn’t be novel. The Kings have been eliminated in the playoffs in the first round in each of the last three seasons — and each time they opened the postseason on the road in Edmonton. In fact, the team has never won a playoff series under general manager Rob Blake, whose job may depend on the Kings winning one this spring.

But then they’ve never had home-ice advantage in a playoff series under Blake, either. Finishing first or second in the division would give them that this year and that would potentially flip the script since the Kings haven’t lost at home to any of the top 15 teams in the NHL this year.

On the road, they’ve beaten just one of those same 15 teams in the last two months.

“We feel, especially on home ice, that it doesn't matter who we're playing. If we play our game, we're going to come out in front,” said goalie Darcy Kuemper, who hasn’t lost in regulation at home since Nov. 7, matching a 34-year-old franchise record by earning a point in 11 consecutive games.

“Obviously we have our eye on trying to get home ice for playoffs,” said Kuemper, who posted his first shutout since New Year’s Day against a team that hadn’t been blanked since the seventh game of the season. “Every team in the race wants that and we know how important every point is going to be down the stretch.”

“We're strong at home this year, way better than last year,” added Kevin Fiala, who had a goal and an assist Thursday. “We feel comfortable we can beat anybody and we’re showing it.”

Thursday’s game definitely had a playoff feel to it and the Kings rose to the challenge, with Warren Foegele giving them the only goal they’d need when he banged in a loose puck from the edge of the crease with 6:52 left in the opening period. The goal, Foegele’s 19th of the season, gave him 200 points for his NHL career.

Fiala doubled the lead with his 22nd goal of the season on a power play 65 seconds into the third period, and while the goal was being announced over the PA system, Quinton Byfield made it 3-0 off an assist from Fiala.

It was the team's 15th goal in the four-game home winning streak; they scored just 16 times in the last eight road games.

Read more:Alex Ovechkin is set to break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, but he's not 'The Great One'

“In the locker room, we always believed,” Fiala said. “Doesn’t matter the standings. Doesn’t matter who we beat. But tonight we beat the best team in the league.”

The game turned chippy as the minutes ticked away, with five players sharing the penalty boxes at one point. But the Kings didn’t back down. If they play like that in the playoffs, they’re going to win a lot of games.

“I do believe that our players know that if we are all together, we all do the same thing and play the game the way we believe that our team has to play it to have success, then we can beat anybody,” Hiller said.

Especially if they play at home.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.