Surging Kings, Islanders battle for playoff position

The New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings both desperately needed a day off Monday.But the Kings probably enjoyed it much more than the Islanders.The Kings will look to extend their winning streak to three games, and the Islanders will attempt to win the rubber game of a three-game road trip Tuesday night, when Los Angeles hosts New York in the final meeting of the season between the teams.The Kings completed a sweep of a back-to-back, home-and-away set Sunday night, when they scored three goals in the first 22 minutes before holding on for a 6-5 win over the host Vegas Golden Knights. The Islanders also completed a back-to-back Sunday, when they suffered a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.The win was the second straight following a five-game losing streak for the Kings, who are five points ahead of the Calgary Flames in the race for third place in the Pacific Division.Despite the quick turnaround following a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, the Kings enjoyed their most prolific offensive game in more than a month Sunday. Los Angeles led by three goals twice before holding off a late rally by the Golden Knights, who scored twice in the final eight-plus minutes.The six goals were as many as the Kings had in the previous four games combined and their most since Feb. 5, when they beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. Los Angeles scored more than two goals just three times in its subsequent 10 games.The Kings’ 176 goals entering Monday were the eighth fewest in the league and the second fewest of any team residing in a playoff spot, ahead of only the Flames.”Situationally, on this back-to-back, coming in here against a really good team and playing a really good team (Saturday), we’re put in a tough spot,” said Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, who was one of four Los Angeles players with a goal and an assist Sunday. “It just proves we can get it done when times are tough. This isn’t the typical low-scoring Kings win, but we’ll take them however they come.”