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The Kings avoided facing their nemesis Edmonton, but they landed a tougher foe and lost 2-1 to Colorado Sunday in Denver to open the playoffs.

The Kings and Ducks took different routes to the playoffs, but hope they can overcome the Avalanche and Oilers, respectively.

Jonathan Quick, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smyth Award winner during the Kings' 2012 title run, says he is retiring at age 40 after nearly two decades in the NHL.

The Ducks lose to Vancouver in overtime and need to get a point in one of their final two games to clinch a playoff spot.

Rogie Vachon helped transform the Kings in the 1970s as the franchise established a presence in L.A. that would he would help build and nurture well beyond his playing days.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar held back tears while thanking fans for their support after his final regular-season home game at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

Hockey families are petitioning to stop the demolition of part of the L.A. Kings Valley Ice Center. "It's where they've grown up," one mom said of her kids. "It's their community."

The Kings are running out of time to secure the final wild-card playoff spot in the West, and their 6-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth doesn't help their cause.