LA Kings Lose Twice After Being Swept in 2026 NHL Playoffs
It was a sad day for everyone in the Los Angeles Kings organization.
The Kings were just swept in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche. Then we realized that this was the final game for Captain Anze Kopitar.
The emotions set in, and this was the end of the line for both Kopitar and the Kings.
At first, the Kings’ fans were grateful that they were not playing the Edmonton Oilers, who eliminated them four years in a row. This time, they had the Avalanche, an elite team that had two of the best players in the league.
It was a tall hill to climb, and the Kings were out four games later, giving LA a glimpse of how elite the Avalanche were. They were outmatched and outclassed by Colorado: too much talent for the Kings to control and too much speed to contain. The season is over, but not how many fans wanted it to.
Kopitar announced he would retire at the end of the season, and when he announced this, it was like a gut punch, a sucker punch. We knew it was coming, but hearing those words make it a reality made us feel a certain way. He was leaving. This would be the final year in the NHL for a Kings legend. Captain since 2016, Kopitar was leaving the game on his terms. He knew it was time, but we did not want it to be his time—so many great memories, not to mention the awards and accolades that go along with his name.
Kopitar leaves the game as the Kings franchise leader in points (1,3136), games played (1,521), and assists (864). He was a five-time All-Star, a three-time Lady Byng winner, a two-time Selke award winner, and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He was not only a Kings’ legend but a great ambassador for the game of hockey. He is well respected in the game and is one of the best two-way players of all time. Whoever comes in as the top-line center next season has huge skates to fill, that is, if they can be filled. Kopitar will be missed, not only in Los Angeles but in the NHL. A tremendous loss for the Kings as they prepare for next season.
We expect plenty of changes for Los Angeles in the coming months, but what kind of changes? New coach? New president? New GM? A complete overhaul of the roster?
This should be an interesting offseason for the Kings organization.
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