Kings Clinch Playoff Spot at Kraken's Expense

L.A. Kings secure final Stanley Cup Playoffs berth with win over Seattle Kraken

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:52am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, angular shapes and vibrant colors that captures the energy and movement of a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken.The Kings' playoff-clinching victory over the Kraken is captured in a dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration that captures the intensity and competitive spirit of the game.Seattle Today

The Los Angeles Kings clinched the final Stanley Cup Playoffs spot on Monday night with a victory over the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. The Kings' win dashed the Kraken's hopes of playing spoiler and preventing their Pacific Division rival from reaching the postseason.

Why it matters

The Kings' playoff clinching comes at the expense of the Kraken, who were hoping to play the role of spoiler and deny their division foe a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This result is a setback for the Kraken in their quest to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The details

The Kings defeated the Kraken by a score of 4-2, with goals from Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Dustin Brown. The win secures the Kings' place in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Kraken will miss out on the postseason for another year.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 14, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

The players

Anze Kopitar

Captain and star center for the Los Angeles Kings.

Adrian Kempe

Forward for the Los Angeles Kings.

Dustin Brown

Veteran forward for the Los Angeles Kings.

Seattle Kraken

The NHL expansion team based in Seattle, Washington that was hoping to play spoiler against the Kings.

Los Angeles Kings

The NHL team that clinched the final Stanley Cup Playoffs spot with their win over the Kraken.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but the guys really stepped up and got the job done. Making the playoffs is always the goal, and I'm proud of the effort our team put in to get us there.”

— Anze Kopitar, Captain, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The Kings will now await their first-round playoff opponent, while the Kraken's focus shifts to the offseason and preparations for next season.

The takeaway

The Kings' playoff clinching at the Kraken's expense highlights the competitive nature of the NHL's Pacific Division, where every point matters in the race for the postseason. For the Kraken, this result is a setback in their quest to make the playoffs for the first time, but they will look to regroup and come back stronger next season.