Kings Defeat Oilers in Kopitar's Final Home Game

Forsberg's shutout and Panarin's goal lift LA to crucial win in playoff race

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice reduced to angular, intersecting shapes in vibrant colors, capturing the intensity and energy of the match.Kopitar's farewell home game sees the Kings grind out a crucial victory in their playoff push.Los Angeles Today

In Anze Kopitar's 758th and final regular-season home game, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the first-place Edmonton Oilers 1-0 on Saturday. Goaltender Anton Forsberg made 28 saves for his third shutout of the season, while Artemi Panarin scored the game's lone goal to lift the Kings to a crucial victory in their pursuit of a playoff spot.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Kings in the hunt for a Western Conference wild-card spot, as they sit just one point behind the final playoff position with three games left. Kopitar, the Kings' longtime captain, is playing in his final regular-season home game after 20 illustrious seasons with the franchise.

The details

Forsberg turned in a gem of a performance, making 28 saves to record his third shutout of the season. The Kings executed well defensively to prevent the league-leading Oilers' offense from finding the back of the net. Panarin scored the game-winning goal, stripping the puck from Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard and scoring on a breakaway. Cody Ceci also made a crucial play, diving to swat away what would have been a game-tying goal in the first period.

  • Kopitar's 758th and final regular-season home game
  • Forsberg's third shutout of the season

The players

Anze Kopitar

The 38-year-old Kings captain is playing in his 1,518th career regular-season game, the 23rd-most in NHL history. He is the all-time leader at Crypto.com Arena in several categories, including goals, assists, points, and game-winning goals.

Anton Forsberg

The 33-year-old goaltender made 28 saves for his third shutout of the season, matching a career high.

Artemi Panarin

The Kings forward scored the game-winning goal, stripping the puck from Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard and scoring on a breakaway.

Cody Ceci

The Kings defenseman made a crucial play, diving to swat away what would have been a game-tying goal in the first period.

D.J. Smith

The Kings' interim head coach, who has helped the team find its stride and remain in the playoff hunt.

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What they’re saying

“He's been solid throughout the year, he's winning us games.”

— Anze Kopitar, Kings Captain

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. This has been my home for 20 years.”

— Anze Kopitar, Kings Captain

“If you can hold him off, you have a chance.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach

“When the chips are on the line, you got to make plays and we've been finding a way to do it.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach

“The group has more energy, it's hard not to notice. It feels like guys are listening to him.”

— Anton Forsberg, Goaltender

What’s next

The Kings have three road games remaining against Pacific Division opponents, and their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four.

The takeaway

Kopitar's final regular-season home game was a memorable one, as the Kings' veteran captain led his team to a crucial victory in their pursuit of a playoff berth. The team's renewed energy and focus under interim coach D.J. Smith have kept them in the hunt, and they now have a chance to secure a postseason spot in Kopitar's final season.