Kings Clinch Playoff Spot with Win Over Kraken

Quinton Byfield scores twice as Los Angeles secures postseason berth.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:49am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken, with the players' movements and the action on the ice broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.The Kings' playoff-clinching victory over the Kraken showcases the team's progress and the continued development of young star Quinton Byfield.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Kings clinched a Western Conference playoff spot with a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. Quinton Byfield led the way for the Kings, scoring a pair of goals in the win.

Why it matters

The Kings' playoff berth marks a significant achievement for the team, which has been working to rebuild and return to the postseason after missing out in recent years. Byfield's performance was a bright spot, as the young center continues to develop into a key player for Los Angeles.

The details

Quinton Byfield scored two goals to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Kings in the Western Conference. Los Angeles built a 4-1 lead in the game before holding off a late Kraken comeback attempt.

  • The game took place on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Quinton Byfield

A 23-year-old center for the Los Angeles Kings who scored two goals in the game to lead his team to the playoff-clinching victory.

Los Angeles Kings

The NHL team that clinched a playoff berth in the Western Conference with their 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Seattle Kraken

The NHL team that hosted the Los Angeles Kings and lost 5-3 in the game that saw the Kings clinch a playoff spot.

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What they’re saying

“Quinton has been a big part of our turnaround this season. His development has been crucial, and this playoff berth is a testament to the hard work of the entire team.”

— Todd McLellan, Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The Kings will await their first-round playoff opponent as the regular season concludes.

The takeaway

The Los Angeles Kings' playoff clinching win over the Seattle Kraken showcases the team's progress and the continued development of young star Quinton Byfield, who played a key role in securing the postseason berth.