Kings win and advance to 3rd round of Stanley Cup playoffs

By eliminating the San Jose Sharks tonight at Staples Center in a tense 2-1 game, the Kings are the last California team standing in the NHL playoffs. They now have eight of the 16 wins that it takes to hold the Stanley Cup again. In the third round LA will play the winner of tomorrow night's game 7 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. The Kings are ensured of a series against one of the NHL's original six franchises, and if it's Detroit the Kings will have home-ice advantage and open at Staples Center.

Either way, tickets go on sale Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Ticketmaster, the Kings announced right after tonight's game. Update: The first game would be Saturday at Staples Center or Friday in Chicago.

Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images via LA Kings