The Kings took their game up a level in Game 3, but they’ll need to take it up another level yet in Game 4. After Game 1, a Kings victory, Todd McLellan talked about it being a good effort but not a series-winning effort. The Kings built on their Game 1 performance with a level up in Game 3, but they’ll need to continue to improve and up their level heading into Game 4 and beyond.

“We have better hockey in us,” McLellan said. “We’re up in the series, 2-1, but I think there’s still some left in us that hasn’t come out yet. If we’re going to win another game, which will lead to bigger and better things if we can keep it going, we’re going to have to get to another level, it’s as simple as that. I don’t think there’s any benefit in hiding behind it or not admitting it. Throw it out in the open to the players, get them to understand it and challenge them to get there.”

While he noted at the end there’s a notion of challenging the players, they seem to already know that themselves.

Everyone was happy to see the level raised in Game 3, but this team has higher aspirations than just a Game 3 victory. In order to get there, they know they need to continue to elevate their game.

“I think we have another level to get to,” Moore said. “I think we played well last game, but we can still be better, just in all areas. Competing, paying attention to detail and making sure we’re staying out of the box, that’s an important thing. Just bring it up another level, it’s only going to get more competitive.”

Part of the beauty of this team is its recognition that while they’re leading in the series and while they have improved as the games have gone on, the job is not finished.