Kings' Playoff Push Faces Pressure With 7 Games Left

Los Angeles hosts Toronto as part of crucial homestand with postseason berth on the line.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, red, and white colors representing the high-stakes playoff race.As the Kings and Maple Leafs battle for playoff positioning, the intensity and uncertainty of the final stretch is captured in a fractured, cubist-inspired illustration.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Kings are in a tight race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, hosting the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday as part of a crucial 7-game homestand. The Kings have struggled at home this season, going just 11-17-9, and need to turn things around to secure a postseason berth.

Why it matters

The Kings are in a fight to the finish for a playoff spot, with just 7 games remaining in the regular season. A strong performance at home could help them clinch a postseason berth, while continued struggles could see them miss the playoffs entirely. The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, have fallen off after a strong 2025-26 campaign and are also looking to finish the season on a high note.

The details

The Kings host the Maple Leafs on Saturday, with Toronto having lost star players Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews over the offseason and in-season, respectively. The Leafs have gone just 4-4-2 in the 10 games since Matthews' injury. The Kings, meanwhile, have gotten off to slow starts in each of their last 3 home games, an issue they'll need to correct if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

  • The Kings host the Maple Leafs on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Kings have 7 games remaining in the regular season.

The players

Anže Kopitar

Captain of the Los Angeles Kings, who announced this would be his 20th and final NHL season before retiring.

Auston Matthews

Star center for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

John Tavares

Former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has led the team in goals, points and game-winning goals since Matthews' injury.

William Nylander

Forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs who has also stepped up in Matthews' absence, hitting double digits in points during the 10-game stretch.

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What they’re saying

“It's a playoffs type of mentality from here on out, if we want to get to the playoffs. It's a lot of intensity, a lot of desperation and we've just got to do it right from the drop of the puck and right until the very end.”

— Anže Kopitar, Captain, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The Kings will continue their crucial 7-game homestand, hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, April 5, 2026 as they look to solidify their playoff positioning with just over a week remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

The Kings' playoff hopes are hanging in the balance as they enter the final stretch of the season. Their performance at home, where they have struggled mightily, will be crucial in determining whether they can secure a postseason berth. The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, are also fighting to end their season on a high note after a disappointing campaign.