Full Breakdown
Avalanche Sweep Ends Kopitar’s Two-Decade Tenure as Kings Fall in First Round
4/28/2026, 2:56:26 AM
Avalanche Sweep Ends Kopitar’s Two-Decade Tenure
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals on April 26, 2026, completing a series sweep and marking the final NHL appearance of captain Anže Kopitar.
Background & Context
Colorado entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed and Presidents’ Trophy winner (55-16-11), leading the league in goals per game (3.63) and fewest goals against (2.40). The Kings (35-27-20) have not won a playoff series since 2014 and have suffered five straight first-round exits.
Data & Statistics
MacKinnon had two goals and an assist; Makar, Nicolas Roy and Devon Toews each added a goal. Joel Edmundson scored the Kings’ lone tally. Scott Wedgewood stopped 24 of 25 shots for a .960 series save percentage, while Colorado outshot Los Angeles 32-25 and finished the series 4-0, allowing five goals.
Why It Matters
The sweep moves Colorado to the Western Conference second round, where it will face the Dallas Stars–Minnesota Wild winner after at least five days of rest, keeping the Avs among the top Stanley Cup contenders. Kopitar’s retirement ends a 20-year career that includes two championships, franchise records in points (1,316) and games played (1,521), and leaves a first-line centre vacancy for Los Angeles.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Jared Bednar said the players “bought into the way we needed to play the LA Kings,” stressing defensive effort. Interim coach D.J. Smith praised Kopitar’s consistency, noting “no one’s bigger than the team.” Defenseman Drew Doughty called the Avalanche “the best team in the league for a reason,” and Cale Makar highlighted the squad’s attention to detail.
Criticism & Opposition
Kings forward Trevor Moore lamented missed chances, stating the first three games “could have gone either way,” and analysts pointed to a zero-for-three power-play conversion as a decisive shortfall.
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans gave Kopitar multiple standing ovations and chanted “Kopi! Kopi!” during his final shifts, while the Avalanche’s early goals limited the Kings to six of the first eight shots, shifting momentum decisively.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you’re hoping for obviously a deep and long run, the least amount of games you can play are definitely going to be a benefit,” — Scott Wedgewood, Avalanche goaltender
- “It's not as fun to commit on the defensive side and really dig in there and spend a bunch of energy there to chip away at the game, but I think they bought into the way we needed to play the LA Kings,” — Jared Bednar, Avalanche head coach
- “It just shows that we kind of stuck to all of the little details this entire series,” — Cale Makar, Avalanche defenseman
What’s Next
Colorado will await the Stars-Wild winner, with a projected five-day rest before opening Game 1 of the second round, where its blend of elite scoring and disciplined defense will be tested against a high-powered opponent.
