from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

A handshake instead of another Stanley Cup championship.

A season ended with a beautiful but brief tease and a first-round playoff exit.

What had the makings of another epic rally against a familiar foe ended Friday with the Kings' 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks, pushing them into an off-season sure to be full of soul-searching and roster rebuilding as the most dominant era of their history recedes further into the past.

If they are honest, they shouldn't be fooled by having spotted the Sharks a 3-0 lead Friday and then pulling even in the second period, setting pulses racing and restoring fans' shaken faith at a raucous Staples Center.

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Below, watch the game highlights and Darryl Sutter post-game...