from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

You have to love late-season jockeying in the playoff race. The Los Angeles Kings made their move Monday night, and the Calgary Flames responded a few hours later.

With Mike Richards back from the AHL and in the lineup, the Kings opened their five-game road trip with a much-needed 3-1 win at New Jersey, temporarily tying the Flames for third place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

But Bob Hartley's men said "No problem" later in the evening, disposing of the visiting Colorado Avalanche 3-2 to go back up two points on the Kings.

The defending champs have a tough one at MSG on Tuesday against arguably the best team in the NHL right now, the New York Rangers. And you'd better believe the Blueshirts wouldn't mind delivering a tough blow to the Kings after losing to L.A. in last year's Stanley Cup final.

The Flames host the Stars on Wednesday before heading out onto their own five-game road trek. It also happens that the Kings visit Calgary on April 9 in the second-to-last game of the regular season for both teams. Got a feeling that game is going to matter.

read on for more from the ESPN hockey staff including Strang on the Senators, Custance on the Wild and Burnside of the Jets...