Kings Clinch Playoff Spot with 5-3 Win Over Kraken

Los Angeles secures postseason berth for fifth straight year with victory over Seattle

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the puck broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, conveying the dynamic energy and tension of the match.The Kings' playoff clinching victory over the Kraken showcases the intense, fragmented nature of high-stakes NHL competition.Seattle Today

The Los Angeles Kings secured a playoff spot with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. Quinton Byfield scored twice, Anton Forsberg made 28 saves, and Trevor Moore, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Laferriere also found the back of the net for the Kings, who won their fifth straight game. Adam Larsson, Frederick Gaudreau, and Bobby McMann scored for the Kraken, who were already eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters

The Kings' playoff clinching extends their postseason streak to five consecutive years, solidifying their status as a consistent contender in the Western Conference. For the Kraken, the loss marks their first defeat against the Kings this season, ending their hopes of finishing the year on a high note.

The details

Los Angeles jumped out to a 3-0 lead through two periods before Seattle mounted a third-period comeback, scoring three goals. However, the Kings held on for the victory, which was their fifth in a row. Forsberg's 28 saves in net helped preserve the win for Los Angeles.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Quinton Byfield

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

Anton Forsberg

The goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings who made 28 saves.

Bobby McMann

A center for the Seattle Kraken who scored one of their three goals.

Matty Beniers

A forward for the Seattle Kraken who had two assists in the game.

Nikke Kokko

The goaltender for the Seattle Kraken who made 25 saves in his second career start.

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What they’re saying

“We've worked hard all season to get to this point, and it's great to finally clinch a playoff spot. Now the real work begins.”

— Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings Center

What’s next

The Kings will look to continue their strong play and improve their seeding in the Western Conference playoffs, while the Kraken will focus on finishing the season strong despite being eliminated from postseason contention.

The takeaway

The Kings' consistent success over the past five seasons has made them a perennial playoff contender in the NHL, while the Kraken's inability to string together wins against top teams like Los Angeles has hindered their progress in just their second year of existence.