Story perspectives

Avalanche Eliminate Kings 5-1; Kopitar Retires After 20 Years

4/28/2026

Summary

Kopitar Retires

The Los Angeles Kings were eliminated on April 26, 2026, after a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4.
Captain Anze Kopitar retired after a 20-year Kings career that set franchise records of 1,521 games, 1,316 points and 864 assists, and included two Stanley Cups.
Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, including a power-play goal at 13:13 of the first period, and added an assist.

Summary

Kopitar’s Legacy

General Manager Rob Blake announced the franchise will retire number 11 as soon as league rules permit.
Kopitar’s career earnings topped KES 16 billion ($125 million) and youth hockey registrations in Ljubljana and Jesenice tripled during his tenure, a phenomenon called the “Kopitar Effect.”
He missed fewer than 30 games in his 20-year NHL career and ended his press conference with his wife and two children, highlighting durability and family focus.

Summary

MacKinnon Scores

Colorado's 27th-ranked power play scored its first playoff man-advantage goal when Nathan MacKinnon netted.
Backup goalie Scott Wedgwood started the postseason and posted a .950 save percentage.
Buffalo's power play went 0-for-39 in April and 0-for-3 in Game 4, while Alex Lyon stopped every shot until the final 40 seconds, nearly earning a shutout.
Bowen Byram tied Brock Faber with three playoff goals as a blueliner.

1 of 3

Kopitar Retires

The Los Angeles Kings were eliminated on April 26, 2026, after a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4.
Captain Anze Kopitar retired after a 20-year Kings career that set franchise records of 1,521 games, 1,316 points and 864 assists, and included two Stanley Cups.
Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, including a power-play goal at 13:13 of the first period, and added an assist.

1 / 3