VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks have started to turn around a poor record against teams from California, but the reversal won't be complete until they finally solve the Los Angeles Kings.
Vancouver was 2-9-3 against the three California teams last season, a big reason they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
The Canucks already exceeded that point total against those teams this season at 3-1-2, including an overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks and a win over the San Jose Sharks on a road trip to start this week.
But the lone regulation loss was a 5-1 defeat in Los Angeles, and the Kings, who trail the Canucks by one point in the Pacific Division, have won five of the past six meetings.
"If you want to be in the playoffs now, especially with the new format, you have to beat those teams and they are three of the best teams in the NHL," forward Alexandre Burrows said. "You have to be .500 or better if you want to get in. We've done some good things, skated with the Sharks, beat Anaheim earlier in the year and now we have to beat these guys. They've had our number the last couple years."