Kings Top Canucks, Move Into Wild-Card Spot

Adrian Kempe scores twice to lead Los Angeles to crucial victory.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:55am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, with players and the rink broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Kings' hard-fought victory over the Canucks keeps their playoff hopes alive in the competitive Western Conference.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday night, with Adrian Kempe scoring two goals to lead the way. The win moves the Kings into a wild-card playoff spot, one point ahead of the Nashville Predators.

Why it matters

The Kings' victory is a significant boost to their postseason hopes, as they continue to battle for a playoff berth in the highly competitive Western Conference. The win over the Canucks puts them in a strong position to clinch a wild-card spot with just a few games remaining in the regular season.

The details

In addition to Kempe's two goals, Joel Armia and Trevor Moore also scored for the Kings. Goaltender Anton Forsberg made 24 saves to secure the victory. The win was the Kings' third straight, a crucial stretch that has propelled them into a playoff position.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Adrian Kempe

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who scored two goals in the game.

Joel Armia

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who scored one goal in the game.

Trevor Moore

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who scored one goal in the game.

Anton Forsberg

The goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings who made 24 saves in the game.

Vancouver Canucks

The opposing team that lost to the Los Angeles Kings.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for us, and we're really proud of the effort the guys put in tonight.”

— Todd McLellan, Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The Kings will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot, with their next game scheduled for Saturday, April 12th against the Anaheim Ducks.

The takeaway

The Kings' win over the Canucks demonstrates their resilience and determination to secure a postseason berth, as they continue to battle for position in the highly competitive Western Conference playoff race.