The LA Kings fall out of the playoff spot on a night when Anze Kopitar becomes the franchise’s all-time leading scorer—but is their lack of consistency jeopardizing a postseason hopes? Eddie Garcia unpacks the celebration and frustration from the Kings’ 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils, spotlighting Kopitar’s record-breaking moment and his candid reaction. The analysis covers key stats, DJ Smith’s assessment of the team’s aggressive-yet-unbalanced play, and controversial officiating that led to pivotal New Jersey power play goals. Additional focus includes Artemi Panarin’s impact since joining LA, Brant Clarke’s standout performance, and under-the-radar contributions from Taylor Ward. Can the Kings regain balance and climb back into a wildcard spot, or will late-season stumbles define their year?
00:00 — Kings vs. Devils RecapGame summary, major moments, Kopitar’s record and playoff implications
10:45 — Kopitar’s Record: Career & ImpactDeep dive on Anze Kopitar’s achievement, legacy, and Marcel Dionne comments
20:00 — Team Analysis & Playoff RaceLineup changes, player performances, standings update, and watch party shoutouts
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20 Comments
Time to bench Byfield, he’s invisible until he gets a penalty late in the game as he often does..
They didn’t have to win , they had to match the intensity/ compete level , THEY DID NOT !
Great watch party, Eddie. Thank you for arranging it. It was great to meet Gwen, Joachin, Gary, David and the others. It was great to see Damien, Ken and Gary again for a watch.
Colorado ,Montreal, new jersey, lost all those in the last 5 minutes or less ! These primadonas don’t play 60 minutes!
I am so tired of the corrupt referees in NHL. it basically shows that NHL games are rigged.
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1 step forward and 2 steps back. They don't know how to win. Learn to play 60 minutes every game.
Congratulations to Kopitar, love the fact he will finish his career as the greatest King player of my time. He has definitely been my favorite King player and have been a Kings fan for over 40 years now.
They simply do not deserve a playoff spot this season. The entire pacific is so mediocre it could've easily been taken by playing half decent.
Take away a few OT points and they are bottom of the league. This team shouldn't be this bad. Even with the injuries.
Thanks and congrats to Kopi! 👏
FIRE LUC ROBITALLE!
thank Byfield and Anderson yet again for gaffs that put unnecessary pressure on the team… those 2 need to be traded
Great for Kopi, but it’s time, past time the Kings pick team loyalty over player loyalty. Plz, I beg the Kings, do not extend Doughty, get younger. Rebuild properly.
Thanks for mentioning Dionne. He held the points lead for 45 years and he only played in 921 games as a King and went on to score over 700 goals and over 1,700 points. He was amazing and I don’t want to hear about a different era
That Clark penalty was a robbery 😢
1. Congrats to Kopi! He deserves this honor. Such a great player and person, both on the ice and off of it! So happy for him and his family!
2. The Kopi/Panarin/Kempe line experiment is working just as many of us thought it would. It's working so well that I could see Kopi delaying his retirement for one more year. DJ is utilizing Kopi properly unlike clueless Hiller and Kopi looks like he is having fun again.
3. The Ceci/Dumolin/Edmundson experiment is collapsing right on schedule. Combined with a slower DD and still learning Clarke, this D is old and slow and stands no chance in the playoffs.
4. Now that the D is failing, our lack of goalie talent is being exposed, similar to Talbot a couple of seasons ago
5. The coaching change is helping, but as usual, KH was too late in making the decision leaving DJ no real time to try and properly turn things around.
Basically, we are right on schedule to miss the playoffs, clean out the management and coaching staff,.and start the rebuild.
This loss all comes down to our crap as d-core issues. Why tf is doughty still playing 1st pair while having 1 less point than edmundson, only being 1 point ahead of dumoulin and being 20 behind Clarke? I respect doughty for what he has done but it’s ridiculous that he’s still getting the better opportunity over someone younger and more successful, this team claims that it wants to win but it refuses to make a yet another necessary adjustment with doughty.
It is no surprise those Kings are not even in Playoff Position! As much as I love LA & the Kings! I am disappointed by you guys. Especially you Stricter Fans! You guys would for few years Bitch about Rob Blake not being fired after not making it out of the first round of the Playoffs. Now first year with him not with you guys! You guys are not even in Playoff Position. So Really! You did this to yourselves by you stricter fans griping about Rob Blake not being fired sooner while I was among few to believe that it would soon improve before too long.
I don't understand why the great Marcel is in the stands, and you ignore him.
He Did It The All Time Kings Scoring Leader. Jake Alllen Goaltender He Scored On. Surpasses Marcel Dionne!!!! Congrats To Future Hall Of Fame Captain However Destiny Is Sadly Against The Kings Why They Lost Again In Clutch Situations. Just The Sad Facts BecauseThis Team Lost Focus As Well. This Loss Despite The Moment Distracted The Kings And May Costed The Kings The Playoffs. Bittersweet Moment Sadly.
27:33 Kings aren't actually 1 point out of a playoff spot right now, they are 2 points out because Los Angeles loses just about every tiebreaker as it stands with as few wins as they have. You need to keep this in mind going forward Eddie when talking playoff picture.