Anyone who was surprised the Blues lost their cool at the end of the Kings’ 4-2 victory Thursday night in St. Louis simply hasn’t been paying attention. Justin Williams scored a game-clinching empty-net goal and then got smoked by the Blues’ David Backes in a play that led to a mild scrum. Backes was penalized for roughing.

“Every time we’ve played them, it’s a physical game,” Kings center Kopitar said of the Blues. “That’s the third time we beat them (this season), and I don’t know how many times in a row now. It is what it is. Of course, they’re a little frustrated. That’s what happens sometimes at the end of the game.”

For the record, the Kings have beaten the Blues eight times in a row.