Post-Mortem: Los Angeles Kings End The Kopitar Era In Crushing Fashion
It's the end of a short road for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2026 playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche beat the Kings 5-1 on Sunday to complete the sweep in the first round.
This is the fifth-straight year the Kings lost in the first round, with the previous four campaigns coming against the Edmonton Oilers.
The most impressive part about Los Angeles in this first round was it limited Colorado's superstars for a chunk of the series. However, the Kings aren't near the level of the Avalanche, and any strong player on their end ultimately did not matter.
How Kopitar Went From The Slovenian Kid to The Greatest King Ever
With the Kings losing 5-1 to the Colorado Avalanche, it marks the end of the season for the Kings, but it also means the NHL is losing one of the greatest players ever to play.
What's Next For The Kings?
This will be a crucial off-season for Los Angeles.
For one, the Kings must decide what to do with interim coach D.J. Smith, who became bench boss after the team fired Jim Hiller in March.
Also, Kings GM Ken Holland will have to decide on the direction he'd like to take his team.
The acquisition of Artemi Panarin was a sign that Holland bets on the club to be a playoff contender. But with five straight first-round exits and average campaigns, should the team take a step back and focus on developing young cornerstones, such as Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke?
It's a real question that Holland may be asking himself, especially after an unthreatening series against the Avs.
Not to mention, captain and top-line center Kopitar retired after the Kings' playoff campaign concluded on Sunday. So now, they are without not only another key veteran and leader, but arguably their No. 1 center.
'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings Career
Anze Kopitar's teammates got emotional after the game when reflecting on his time with the Los Angeles Kings' organization. Here's what Adrian Kempe, Drew Doughty and Trevor Moore said of their longtime and well-respected captain.
Aside from questions regarding the NHL roster, the Kings have a handful of draft picks they'll want to hit on.
They have their first-round pick in the 2026 draft, as well as two second-round picks, two sixth-rounders and a pick in each of the remaining rounds.
In the 2026-27 campaign, the Kings could range between being another playoff team or dropping as low as a lottery team. It all depends on the action of this off-season in the front office, the coaching staff and roster decisions.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 10:03 AM.