Avalanche Sweep Ends Kings' Playoff Run

The Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings, closing the series with a 5-1 win in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena. Presidents’ Trophy winners advance to the Central Division Final; the Kings’ run ends after a 2-1 win, a 2-1 OT loss, and two 5-1 defeats.

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Los Angeles entered the playoffs with a 21-6-20 one-goal record but lost forward Kevin Fiala to a broken leg at 2026 Olympics and saw Nikita Kuzmenko return from meniscus surgery. Kings acquired Artemi Panarin before the break; he posted 27 points in 26 regular-season games but recorded only one assist in the final two playoff matches. Colorado topped the league, claimed the Presidents’ Trophy and entered as the top seed.

Kings eliminated in Western 1st Round, offensive woes among factors

The Kings’ power play fell to 3-for-16 (18.8 %). After an early 10-for-11 run, Colorado’s power play scored only once—Nathan MacKinnon’s first-period goal, the Avalanche’s first man-advantage tally of playoffs. Colorado ranked 27th in power-play efficiency. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood posted a .950 save percentage; Kings’ top scorer Adrian Kempe had two points, and Quinton Byfield was goalless.

Kings eliminated in Western 1st Round, offensive woes among factors

The sweep marks the Kings’ fifth first-round exit and coincides with Anze Kopitar’s retirement after a 20-year career, prompting questions about Los Angeles’ rebuilding. Colorado’s advance provides rest before the Central Division Final, where the Avalanche will face the Dallas Stars–Minnesota Wild series winner, positioning them for a run.

Avalanche advance to second round after sweeping Kings

Coach Cale Makar said the series was a solid test and praised the Kings’ disciplined defense, noting the Avalanche found ways to contain them. Head coach Jared Bednar observed MacKinnon showed no visible frustration during the slower start, interpreting his composure as confidence.

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Analysts cited the Kings’ power-play drop from 10-for-11 to 3-for-16 and injuries that thinned forward depth. Panarin’s output fell from regular-season levels, and the team’s one-goal record did not convert to playoff victories.

Kings eliminated in Western 1st Round, offensive woes among factors

In Game 4, fans gave Kopitar an ovation and chanted “Thank you, Kopi!” as he left the ice, ending a two-decade career that includes two Stanley Cups and three Selke Trophies.

Things we learned: Anze Kopitar retires as all-time Kings legend

• “It’s a good test for us,” — Cale Makar, Avalanche defenseman

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• “That’s a stingy defensive team over there that has a lot of offensive threats, and we found different ways to be able to shut them downNathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for the Avalanche after putting them ahead 1-0 on the power play at 13:13 of the first period.” — Cale Makar, Avalanche defenseman

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• “I didn’t see any frustration from him at all, like when it comes to not producing through the first three games that he would normally produce, and that kind of tells me where our team is at,” — Jared Bednar, Avalanche head coach

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• “Thank you, Kopi!” — Fans, Crypto.com Arena

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