A long, disappointing season that was filled with frustration and sadness will end for the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday as they go Hollywood to end the 2015-16 season, as they face the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Centre. The teams have split the first two meetings this season, with the Kings winning 4-1 back on October 27 while the Jets returned the favour on March 28 by the same 4-1 score. Both games were at the MTS Centre.

While the game means very little to the Jets, it may be a big game for the Kings. If the Anaheim Ducks defeat the Colorado Avalanche in an afternoon tilt, then the Kings need a win to clinch first place in the Pacific Division and home ice advantage in the first two rounds. So this might be the only chance the Jets have to play a meaningful game in April this season. Sad but true.

Personal milestones are on the line for a few players. Can Mark Scheifele hit the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career? Can Blake Wheeler extend his consecutive point streak to 11 games? Can Scheifele extend his consecutive point streak to 10 games? Can Nikolaj Ehlers score 15 goals in his rookie season? Can Drew Stafford top 40 points? While these milestones won’t set the world on fire, they are small goals for the players to reach and it gives them something to play for before they go on summer vacation.

Dustin Byfuglien was excellent Thursday night in San Jose, recording 4 points (1G, 3A) including the game-winning goal in the dying seconds. Big Buff is a goal shy of the 20 goal mark and it would be fitting if he could reach that plateau in a season which he signed a big contract extension. 

If head coach Paul Maurice continues his goalie rotation, then expect Michael Hutchinson to get the call against the Kings. Hutch was outstanding in his last start Tuesday night in Anaheim, stopping 27 out of 28 Duck shots for a .964 save percentage. With Hutchinson set to become a restricted free agent, this might be his final game as a Winnipeg Jet. He wants more money and playing time and with Connor Hellebuyck lurking and Ondrej Pavelec’s bad contract making him difficult to move, Hutch may be the odd man out next season.

This lineup may look different, depending on the Anaheim result but we’ll go with it for now. Noted Jet killer Kris Versteeg scored the game-winning goal Thursday against Anaheim and he will be looking for similar heroics against a team he has had success against in the past. 

Drew Doughty may not have the gaudy numbers Erik Karlsson has, but he is a Norris Trophy candidate to some observers. His 59.1% Corsi and 58.7% Fenwick are outstanding and are proof he is still one of the elite blueliners in the league. For the Kings to have success in the postseason, Doughty will need to play like a Norris Trophy winner.

Simply put if the Kings need this game, Jonathan Quick will get the start between the pipes. If the game is meaningless, Jhonas Enroth will start in net. No one will know until the Anaheim game ends.

Game Day Prediction: We’ll go out on a limb and say the Kings will be playing for the division title. Plus the Jets can’t win four in a row to close the season can they? Kings win 4-2.

Obvious Prediction: There will be at least one interview with a Canadian celebrity now living in Los Angeles. 

Not So Obvious Prediction: We say Scheifele scores his 30th of the season. He’s on a hot streak so why not close the season in style.