Tight battle in Pacific Division

Every win in the NHL is important, of course, but given how things are going this season, the Kings’ victory over Anaheim last night seemed to have deeper implications. The Kings entered that game with a 2-3-0 record against Pacific Division opponents this season, and given that the division is so tight — with seven points separating first place from last place — doing well in those so-called four-point games is important. The Sharks are 4-0-3 against Pacific teams this season and are tied with the Kings at 43 points (having played one more game. Today, both Terry Murray and Todd McLellan talked about the importance of divisional games, with Murray bringing it up in reference to last night’s game…

MURRAY: “We have five games in hand on Anaheim, and any time you can take advantage of a game against each other like that and win, you get some separation and you still have those games, and hopefully you take advantage of it.”

MCLELLAN: “I think (the Sharks are) reminded every day, when they look at the standings, that you cannot give yourself permission for a night off or a week off, because it’s critical that you compete every night for points. The division championship will definitely allow you to get into the playoffs. After that, who knows what will happen? You could be second or third in your division and not make it. So I think there’s a constant reminder, an external reminder when they look at the standings and they hear people. That’s not always the important one. The important one is the one that comes from within. The players right now, they’re working hard and they’re committed to each other. I’m hoping that this break doesn’t derail what we had going prior to Christmas. L.A. will be a very good test for us tonight, to see if we can keep it going.”