KINGS NOTES : Playoff Upsets Are Nothing New to Bozek

Vancouver’s Steve Bozek is no stranger to playoff upsets.

Neither is Wayne Gretzky.

Bozek played for the Kings in 1982 when, in the greatest playoff upset in NHL history, the Kings defeated Edmonton in a first-round series after finishing 48 points behind the Gretzky-led Oilers during the regular season.

That series was highlighted by the Kings’ 6-5 victory in the third game, the so-called “Miracle on Manchester” during which the Kings overcame a 5-0 third-period deficit to win in overtime after King owner Jerry Buss and several thousand fans gave up and walked out. A rookie that season, Bozek scored the tying goal with five seconds to play in regulation.

In 1986, Bozek played for the Calgary Flames when they upset the Gretzky-led Oilers in a first-round series, dethroning the defending Stanley Cup champions after finishing 30 points behind them during the regular season.

That was the fourth biggest upset in NHL playoff history in terms of point differential between the teams during the regular season.

Two seasons ago, with the Canucks, Bozek barely missed.

After finishing 43 points behind Calgary, the Canucks pushed the heavily favored Flames to seven games in an opening-round series, finally losing in overtime in the deciding game after goaltender Mike Vernon of the Flames stopped two breakaways by the Canucks in overtime.

It would have ranked No. 2 on the all-time list of upsets.

And if the Canucks eliminate the Kings this season after finishing 37 points behind them during the regular season?

That would rank No. 2.

Before losing to the Canucks, 6-5, in the first game:

--The Kings had given up only 66 first-period goals all season, an average of fewer than one a game, and had given up three or more first-period goals only five times, the last time in a 4-4 tie at Montreal on March 10.

They trailed the Canucks at the first intermission, 3-2.

--The Kings had given up more than five goals in a game only seven times all season, and only once in their previous 45 games.

--The Kings were 27-1-1 when scoring at least five goals.

--Goaltender Kelly Hrudey, who gave up all six goals, was unbeaten in 11 starts at the Forum since Dec. 29, when he lost to Montreal, 3-2.

--The Kings, outshot by the Canucks, 32-29, were unbeaten in 16 games at the Forum when being outshot by their opponents.

--The Kings were 39-2-4 when leading after two periods. They led the Canucks, 5-3, before giving up three third-period goals.

--The Kings could have won the series without winning at Vancouver, where they lost twice in four games during the regular season.

For what it’s worth: The team that won the second game won 14 of 15 NHL playoff series last season. The only one that didn’t was the Calgary, which beat the Kings in the second game, 8-5, but lost the series in six.

Wayne Gretzky’s goal Saturday night was his 91st in 140 playoff games, leaving him one shy of a record held by former teammate Jari Kurri.

Gretzky owns playoff records of 196 points and 287 points.

Vancouver had won four playoff games in a row over the Kings and was 3-0 in playoff games at the Forum before losing. In 1982, when Vancouver needed only five games to eliminate the Kings in the Smythe Division finals, the Canucks won the only two games that were played at the Forum.