Kings Captain Kopitar Determined to Make Playoffs Despite Chaotic Loss

Los Angeles falls to Predators in record-breaking shootout, but veteran leader vows to fight to the end of the season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a hockey game, with players' forms fractured into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the intensity and drama of the Kings' desperate late-season playoff chase.Kopitar's determined leadership guides the Kings' late-season playoff push, despite a heartbreaking loss in a chaotic, high-stakes game.Los Angeles Today

In a wild game that saw the Los Angeles Kings fall behind 4-1 before storming back to force overtime, the team ultimately lost 5-4 to the Nashville Predators in an eight-round shootout. The loss set a new NHL record for the Kings' 19th overtime or shootout defeat of the season. Despite the disappointing result, veteran captain Anze Kopitar remains determined to lead his team to the playoffs in what could be the final games of his illustrious career.

Why it matters

The Kings are clinging to the edge of playoff contention, needing to make a strong push in the final seven games of the season. Kopitar's leadership and determination will be crucial as the team fights to secure a postseason berth, especially with the veteran center potentially facing retirement after this campaign.

The details

The game was a rollercoaster, with the Predators jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first four minutes. The Kings battled back to tie it 4-4 before the game went to a shootout that lasted eight rounds, with the Predators ultimately prevailing. Despite the disappointing loss, Kopitar and the Kings showed the fight and character needed to make a playoff push.

  • The game was the Kings' 75th of the season.
  • The Predators scored just 52 seconds into the game and twice more in the first four minutes.
  • The Kings trailed 4-1 halfway through the game before storming back to tie it.
  • The game went to an eight-round shootout, setting a new NHL record for the Kings' 19th overtime or shootout loss of the season.

The players

Anze Kopitar

The veteran captain of the Los Angeles Kings, who recently broke the franchise scoring record and is determined to lead his team to the playoffs in what could be the final games of his career.

Joel Armia

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who took the eighth and final shootout attempt in the loss to the Predators.

D.J. Smith

The head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who praised Kopitar's leadership and determination in pushing the team to the end of the season.

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What they’re saying

“I don't plan on just playing seven more games.”

— Anze Kopitar

“After a slow start, I think we played pretty good, and I'm proud of the team, how we battled back in the game. It just sucks. Sucks to lose that one.”

— Joel Armia, forward

“I think he's just willing himself right now. I think when this is all said and done, he'll probably take a good six weeks and be exhausted, but he's pushing himself down the stretch. He's been one of our best players every night.”

— D.J. Smith, head coach

“Once we got it to 4-4, we didn't give them anything. We gotta start the game like that.”

— D.J. Smith, head coach

“Obviously you want to get the two points. We didn't get them. We'll take the one. Certainly not the start that we wanted. But the fight, the character that this group showed, obviously it's encouraging. And we're going to need that kind of fight going forward.”

— Anze Kopitar

What’s next

The Kings have seven games remaining in the regular season, and Kopitar is determined to lead the team to a playoff berth in what could be the final stretch of his illustrious career.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Kings' resilience and fight, as they battled back from a three-goal deficit to force overtime. However, the loss also underscored the team's struggles in close games, setting a new NHL record for overtime and shootout defeats. Kopitar's leadership will be crucial in the final weeks as the Kings make a last-ditch effort to secure a playoff spot.