Full Breakdown
Avalanche Sweep Ends Kings' Season and Kopitar's Farewell
4/27/2026, 12:38:34 PM
Game 4 Summary
Avalanche 5, Kings 1 in Game 4, completing a 4-0 sweep and ending Los Angeles’ season. MacKinnon opened on the power play; Makar, Roy, Toews scored; MacKinnon added an empty-netter. Edmundson netted the Kings’ lone goal; Forsberg stopped 27 shots.
Background & Key Figures
The Kings have missed a second round for twelve years. Anze Kopitar, franchise points leader (1,316) and two-time Selke winner, played his final NHL game, receiving standing ovations. Avalanche stars MacKinnon (2 G, 1 A), Makar, Toews, Roy, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood (.950 SV%) led the win; Kings’ Trevor Moore and interim coach D.J. Smith addressed the loss.
Data & Statistics
Final 5-1 score; Avalanche’s power play went 1-9 before Game 4, delivering its first PP goal. Colorado’s PP ranked 27th in the regular season. Wedgewood posted a .950 save percentage. Kings were shut out on the PP twice. Colorado entered as Presidents’ Trophy winners; Los Angeles suffered its eighth consecutive postseason loss and seventh straight first-round exit.
Why It Matters
The sweep sends Colorado to the second round against the Dallas Stars–Minnesota Wild winner, reinforcing depth and addressing power-play concerns. For Los Angeles, the loss ends Kopitar’s era and intensifies pressure to rebuild a roster that has not advanced past the first round since 2014.
Official Statements & Responses
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said the team must “stick with what works and improve where we can.” Kings interim coach D.J. Smith stressed “discipline” after early penalties. Coach Jared Bednar praised the roster’s ability to step up. The Kings honored Kopitar with standing ovations and a handshake line.
Criticism & Opposition
Kings’ lack of discipline drew criticism; four penalties in the first 18 minutes disrupted the game plan and helped the early deficit. Their power-play, previously a strength, was shut out twice, exposing weakness. Avalanche’s power play, despite a 27th-place ranking, finally clicked, raising questions about its earlier performance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on penalty count: one cites four early penalties, another says the Kings doubled that total in the first 18 minutes.
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
- “We have to be disciplined,” — D.J. Smith, Kings interim coach
- “I mean, Games 1-3 could have gone either way. I thought we had a real chance in Game 2 and 3, didn’t get it done,” — Trevor Moore, Kings forward
- “Sticking with it, sticking with what we’re doing, continue to do what’s working for us, and improve what we can do better.” — Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche captain
