Kings Set NHL Record with 31st OT Appearance of 2025-26

Los Angeles survives 7-6 thriller against Maple Leafs to clinch playoff position

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:36pm

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The Los Angeles Kings set an NHL single-season record with their 31st overtime game of the 2025-26 season, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-6 in a back-and-forth thriller. Quinton Byfield scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe had big offensive nights for the Kings, who moved into a Western Conference wild-card playoff spot with the victory.

Why it matters

The Kings' propensity for overtime games this season has been a double-edged sword, as they've racked up a league-high 19 overtime or shootout losses. However, this latest win in extra time keeps them in the playoff hunt, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to win close games despite their struggles to close out regulation leads.

The details

Los Angeles erased multiple deficits in the high-scoring affair, with Byfield and Kempe scoring early in the second period to tie the game 2-2 after the Maple Leafs had built an early 2-0 lead. The Kings then took a 6-4 advantage in the third period, but Toronto battled back to tie it 6-6 and force overtime, where Byfield's game-winner clinched the victory.

  • The Kings set the NHL record with their 31st overtime game of the 2025-26 season.
  • The game-winning goal was scored at 2:33 of overtime.

The players

Quinton Byfield

A 20-year-old center for the Los Angeles Kings who scored the game-winning goal in overtime, his 20th of the season.

Artemi Panarin

A star forward for the Los Angeles Kings who had a goal and two assists in the victory.

Adrian Kempe

A Kings forward who scored two goals and added two assists, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games.

Matthew Knies

A Maple Leafs forward who scored two goals in the losing effort.

John Tavares

The Maple Leafs captain who scored a goal and added two assists, reaching 30 goals on the season for the eighth time in his career.

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What they’re saying

“We just kept battling back and found a way to get it done in overtime. It's been a crazy season for us, but we're still in the hunt and that's what matters.”

— Quinton Byfield, Kings Center

What’s next

The Kings will look to build on this overtime victory as they continue their push for a Western Conference playoff spot. Their next game is on Tuesday against the division-leading Colorado Avalanche.

The takeaway

The Kings' ability to grind out close, high-scoring games in overtime has been both a blessing and a curse this season. While their record-setting 31st OT appearance showcases their resilience, their league-high 19 overtime/shootout losses have also hindered their playoff positioning. This latest win, however, keeps them firmly in the wild-card race as the regular season winds down.