Going the Distance

In 26 seasons, the Kings have advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs 18 times. But tonight’s game at Toronto will be only the fifth time they have been involved in Game 7 of a playoff series. Are they a clutch team in decisive games? Their record is an indecisive 2-2.

* 1968 WESTERN DIVISION SEMIFINALS: The Kings were better than expected in their first season, but they saved the worst for last, losing at home in the final game of their first playoff series, 9-4, to Minnesota. The North Stars said they were inspired by King owner Jack Kent Cook’s prediction that his team would win the Stanley Cup.

* 1969 WESTERN DIVISION SEMIFINALS: In their second season, the Kings won a playoff series with a 5-3 road victory in the final game against the Oakland Seals. In the next round, the Kings had a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup finals. But not much of a chance. They were swept in four games by St. Louis.

* 1976 QUARTERFINALS: Playing at home in the final game of the series, the Boston Bruins put three shots behind King goaltender Rogie Vachon during a 3-0 victory. Vachon, who later became the King general manager, is now an assistant to the team’s owner, Bruce McNall.

* 1989 SMYTHE DIVISION SEMIFINALS: Wayne Gretzky, in his first playoff series with the Kings, scored the first and last goals in a 6-3 victory at home in the seventh game against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers. “Personally, I didn’t enjoy the series at all,” Gretzky said. He enjoyed the next one even less as the Kings were swept in four games by Calgary.