Kings Captain Anze Kopitar Honored After Final Regular-Season Home Game

Kopitar holds back tears while thanking fans for their support after 20-year career with the Kings.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:35pm

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In his final regular-season home game at Crypto.com Arena, Kings captain Anze Kopitar was honored by the team and its fans after announcing his retirement at the end of this season. Kopitar, who has spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Kings, was emotional as he thanked the crowd for their support following the team's 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Why it matters

Kopitar is considered one of the greatest players in Kings franchise history, leading the team in numerous statistical categories and playing a key role in their two Stanley Cup championships. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Kings, as they will need to find a way to replace his leadership, two-way play, and community impact off the ice.

The details

Kopitar scored the game's only goal 7:34 into the first period, and goaltender Anton Forsberg made 27 saves to record the shutout. The win keeps the Kings in the hunt for a playoff spot, as they currently hold a one-point lead over the Nashville Predators for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference. Kopitar, who turns 38 later this month, announced in September that this would be his final NHL season.

  • Kopitar scored the game's only goal 7:34 into the first period.
  • The Kings defeated the Oilers 1-0 on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Anze Kopitar

The Kings' captain and franchise leader in several statistical categories, including points, assists, and games played. Kopitar has spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Kings, winning two Stanley Cups with the team.

Artemi Panarin

The Kings' forward who scored the game-winning goal, his ninth since joining the team just before the Olympic break.

Anton Forsberg

The Kings' goaltender who recorded his 11th career shutout and fourth consecutive win, preserving the team's one-point lead over the Nashville Predators in the race for the final Western Conference wild-card playoff spot.

Daryl Evans

A former Kings player who is now a broadcaster with the team, and who praised Kopitar's leadership and intangible qualities off the ice.

Luc Robitaille

The Kings' president and franchise leader in goals, who called Kopitar the greatest player to ever suit up for the Kings.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you very much. Thank you for being here.”

— Anze Kopitar, Kings Captain

“The greatest to play for the Kings. What's he meant to this franchise — you know this franchise never won and he came along and we won two [Stanley Cups]. So he deserves all the credits and everything that's coming his way.”

— Luc Robitaille, Kings President

“Records are made to be beaten. But the intangibles, the things that he did as the team's captain, the leadership that he provided, the type of a player he was, very unselfish. He's one of those guys who's a special player.”

— Daryl Evans, Kings Broadcaster

What’s next

The Kings can extend Kopitar's farewell tour by at least a couple of weeks by making the playoffs, a task that's looking much more likely than it did a week ago. After Saturday's win the Kings not only lead Nashville in the wild-card race, holding a game in hand over the Predators, but they are just two points out of third place in the Pacific Division standings.

The takeaway

Anze Kopitar's retirement marks the end of an era for the Kings, as they will need to find a way to replace his leadership, two-way play, and community impact off the ice. However, the team's recent surge has them in playoff position, giving Kopitar a chance to extend his career and legacy with one final postseason run.