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CLINCHED: A Los Angeles Kings Story | 2026 Playoffs



The LA Kings have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by virtue of their victory over Seattle and Nashville’s regulation loss against San Jose.

The Kings, with a 35-26-19 record and 89 points through 80 games this season, became the fourth team in the Pacific Division and eighth in the Western Conference to secure their spot in the postseason. The 2026 appearance marks the team’s fifth consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and 35th qualification in team history. It also marks the fourth time the Kings have reached the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, and the first since qualifying five years in a row from 2010-14.

Captain Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty lead the Kings into the postseason as part of their 11th career appearance, each tied for second-most in team history behind Dave Taylor (13). Kopitar (27-62=89), who is in his final career NHL season, will enter the playoffs tied with Luc Robitaille (41-48=89) for the second-most playoff points in team history and is five shy from tying Wayne Gretzky (29-65=94) for most all-time. Kopitar will look to set the franchise record for most playoff points just over a month removed from collecting his 1,307th and 1,308th career regular-season points to surpass Marcel Dionne (550-757=1,307) to become the eighth player in franchise history to hold the Kings’ outright points record.

In total, 14 players from last year’s Kings playoff roster return, including this season’s team-leading scorer Adrian Kempe (35-37=72), who clinched his third career 70-point season and became the eighth skater in franchise history to record three consecutive 70-point campaigns. Forward Quinton Byfield is also set to make his fifth consecutive playoff appearance following his third straight 20-goal season (22-24=46).

Returning to the playoffs for the first time as a member of the Kings are forwards Artemi Panarin and Scott Laughton, who were both acquired via trade earlier in the season. In 24 games as a member of the Kings, Panarin has recorded nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points (9-17=26), the most among any team skater since his Kings debut on Feb. 25 and tied for the 10th most through a player’s first 24 games with the franchise all-time. This will mark Panarin’s ninth trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he has accumulated 61 points (21-40=61) in 73 outings for the second-most among active undrafted skaters. Laughton, who has five goals and eight points (5-3=8) in 19 games with the Kings this season, will make his second consecutive postseason appearance and fifth of his career.

The team’s first round opponent, schedule and broadcast calendar are to be determined and will be announced once finalized.

The 2026 LA Kings postseason is presented by Mercury Insurance, Toyota, Blue Shield of California, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel and Spectrum. First Round playoff tickets are now on sale for all home games at Crypto.com Arena and are available for purchase at lakings.com/playoffs or axs.com/lakings. Group tickets and Event Suite rentals are also available. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season are also on sale, with new members guaranteed discounted playoff ticket access.

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41 Comments

  13. @MrKojoman

    Man, I can't believe we're in the playoffs!!! 🎉👑 One more run for Kopitar (and also, shoutout to Jonathan Quick for an outstanding career)!

  18. @adriant8028

    This gave me chills 🥹!! Awesome🙏🏼💪🏼🙌🏼 to kind of paraphrase Brad Pitt in Money Ball, “How can you not be romantic about hockey!” Let’s Go Kings! 👍🏼

  28. @mushy6163

    Wait…that was….a pretty good hype video

    I'm speechless I didn't know this organization could do it

  32. @Illsamustache

    If it wasn’t for those two lucky bounces that QB got, the Kraken would have won that game 3-2. The Kings looked terrible. I’ve never seen a worse game by Bread, and Kings top line was completely shut down the entire game by Seattle, a non-PO contender playing their 4th string goalie. That’s not going to be good enough for NHL PO hockey, boys. You all need to do better. (Except the TO-QB-AL line. You guys are killing it!!)

  34. @robertserviss2165

    Guys, you suck. 19 OT losses, Panarin is the ultimate playoffs choker… you stole a legit spot from SJ, Nash and Winni. Face facts, you’ll be swept out of the first round by Avs before the puck even drops. Don’t celebrate, don’t get your hopes up.

  38. @Catchmeifyouca

    Out first round or if you have to play Edmonton kings suck and barely got in. Play Colorado in first round.. not even going to be a series, kings out 4 straight..

  39. @lebourreau7177

    Prove the NHL wrong. OTLs helped up survive whatever was hanging over this team throughout the season. Y'all have been arguably the hottest team in the league for about a month now. Go get that motherfucker 🏆

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