The Western Conference playoff race has reached a fever pitch, and the Los Angeles Kings find themselves right in the thick of it. As the 2025-2026 NHL season enters its final stretch, the Kings are battling for a wild-card spot with renewed energy, a fresh coaching perspective, and a roster that blends historic franchise legacy with exciting new talent. With the recent news of a major injury to a division rival and the Kings boasting the easiest remaining schedule in the league, the path to the postseason is wide open. But can they capitalize on this golden opportunity?
In this comprehensive breakdown, we will analyze the Kings’ recent performances, examine the impact of interim head coach D.J. Smith, celebrate Anze Kopitar’s monumental franchise record, and look ahead to a crucial matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. For more in-depth sports coverage and analysis, be sure to check out our InfanityTV YouTube channel and tune in to our popular show, LA Sparks Weekly, for the best in Los Angeles sports commentary.
The Coaching Change: D.J. Smith Injects New Life
The month of March began with a significant shakeup behind the bench. After a concerning stretch where the Kings lost five of six games, management made the difficult decision to relieve Jim Hiller of his head coaching duties. In his place stepped associate coach D.J. Smith, assuming the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Joining him as an assistant coach is former Kings defenseman Matt Greene, bringing a wealth of experience and a familiar face to the locker room.
Smith’s mandate was clear: inject energy, establish a defensive identity, and bring a sense of “swagger” back to a team that had been struggling, particularly on home ice where they ranked near the bottom of the league in wins. The early returns under Smith have been promising. Through his first eight games, the Kings have posted a 4-3-1 record, demonstrating a renewed resilience and a more structured approach to their game.
While the record may not seem overwhelming at first glance, the underlying metrics and the eye test suggest a team that is playing with more purpose. The Kings have tightened up defensively, relying on balanced scoring from their depth lines, and showing a willingness to battle in the gritty areas of the ice. Smith has emphasized the importance of playing a full sixty minutes, a message that seems to be resonating with the players as they navigate the pressure-cooker environment of a playoff race.
The Artemi Panarin Effect: A Blockbuster Trade Pays Dividends
The Kings made a massive splash ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring superstar forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree. The move sent shockwaves through the league and immediately elevated the Kings’ offensive ceiling. Panarin, who signed a two-year extension at $11 million AAV upon arriving in Los Angeles, has been nothing short of spectacular.
In his first 12 games wearing the silver and black, Panarin has tallied an impressive 15 points, comprised of four goals and 11 assists. He is currently riding a four-game point streak, during which he has recorded two goals and five assists. His impact was on full display in a recent shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, where his third-period power-play goal tied the game and secured a crucial point in the standings.
Coach Smith has been effusive in his praise for the dynamic winger. “The best players in the League are the best players in the League for a reason, and they find ways to make plays under pressure when no one else can, especially in the third period,” Smith noted. “Having a guy like ‘Bread’ gives us that option.”
Panarin’s return to Madison Square Garden on March 16 was a highly anticipated event. He received a video tribute and a standing ovation from the Rangers faithful, a testament to his impact during his time in New York. However, Panarin quickly reminded his former team of his offensive prowess, registering an assist in a 4-1 Kings victory that snapped the Rangers’ four-game winning streak.
Anze Kopitar: The Undisputed King of Kings
Amidst the playoff push and the excitement of new acquisitions, the Los Angeles Kings organization took a moment to celebrate a truly historic achievement. On March 14, in a game against the New Jersey Devils, captain Anze Kopitar etched his name into the record books, becoming the all-time franchise leader in regular-season points.
Kopitar entered the game needing just one point to tie franchise legend Marcel Dionne’s mark of 1,307 points. He accomplished that feat in the second period with a power-play goal. Then, in the third period, with the Kings trailing, Kopitar struck again on the man advantage, scoring his 1,308th career point to take sole possession of the record. The entire team poured onto the ice to celebrate their captain, a poignant moment that underscored his immense value to the organization.
The milestone is the culmination of a remarkable 20-year career spent entirely in Los Angeles. Kopitar recently became just the 25th player in NHL history to play in 1,500 career regular-season games. He has led the Kings in scoring an astounding 15 times, a feat matched only by Sidney Crosby among active players. The Kings will honor Kopitar with a pre-game ceremony on April 2, appropriately named “Anze Kopitar Legacy Night,” when they host the Nashville Predators.
Kopitar’s sustained excellence is a marvel. Even in the twilight of his career, he remains a vital contributor. He has 11 goals this season and is currently on a four-game point streak. He needs just one more point to tie Dionne for the most points scored on home ice in Kings history. His leadership, two-way play, and clutch scoring will be indispensable as the Kings battle for a playoff berth.
Recent Game Reviews: Navigating the Gauntlet
The Kings’ recent schedule has been a rollercoaster of emotions, characterized by hard-fought victories and frustrating overtime losses. Let’s review their performance over the past week.
March 13: Kings 3, Islanders 2 (Win)
The Kings secured a vital victory against the New York Islanders, with Adrian Kempe providing the heroics by scoring the game-winning goal. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper was solid between the pipes, making 21 saves to preserve the win and earn two crucial points in the standings.
March 14: Kings 4, Devils 6 (Loss)
Despite Kopitar’s historic two-goal performance, the Kings fell short against a potent New Jersey Devils squad. The loss highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities that Coach Smith is actively working to address, but Kopitar’s milestone provided a silver lining on an otherwise disappointing night.
March 16: Kings 4, Rangers 1 (Win)
This was perhaps the Kings’ most impressive victory of the month. Traveling to Madison Square Garden, the Kings put together a complete team effort to cool off a red-hot Rangers team. Alex Laferriere was the star of the show, recording a three-point night (one goal, two assists). Mikey Anderson contributed a goal and an assist, while Drew Doughty and Trevor Moore (empty net) also found the back of the net. The victory showcased the Kings’ depth and their ability to compete with the league’s top teams.
March 19: Kings 3, Flyers 4 (Shootout Loss)
In a tightly contested battle at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings managed to salvage a point in a shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Quinton Byfield opened the scoring in the first period, continuing his recent resurgence after a brief scoring drought. Kopitar added a second-period goal, and Panarin’s clutch third-period power-play marker forced overtime. However, the Flyers prevailed in the shootout, with Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov finding the back of the net, while Kempe and Panarin were denied by Flyers netminder Samuel Ersson.
Coach Smith reflected on the loss, noting, “You got to just keep clawing at points. You lose in a shootout, you know, what are you going to do? At the end of the day, I think the point that was lost was in the second period. First and third, you know, the way we want to play.”
The Playoff Picture: A Golden Opportunity
As of March 20, the Los Angeles Kings sit in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a record of 28-24-16, totaling 72 points. The race is incredibly tight. They hold a slim one-point lead over both the Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators, and a two-point advantage over the San Jose Sharks.
However, the landscape of the Pacific Division shifted dramatically with the news that Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury. The Oilers currently sit in third place in the division with 75 points, just three points ahead of the Kings. This injury presents a massive opportunity for Los Angeles to not only solidify their wild-card position but potentially climb into the top three of the Pacific Division.
Furthermore, the Kings have a significant schedule advantage. According to analysis, Los Angeles has the easiest remaining schedule in the entire NHL. Of their final 15 games, 10 are against opponents currently outside the playoff picture. If the Kings can maintain their focus and execute their game plan, they control their own destiny.
Game Preview: Kings vs. Buffalo Sabres (March 21)
The Kings’ next test comes on Saturday, March 21, when they host the Buffalo Sabres at Crypto.com Arena for a 1:00 PM PDT matinee matchup. This is a crucial game against a formidable opponent.
The Sabres arrive in Los Angeles boasting an impressive 43-20 record. They have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning four of their last five games. Buffalo is coming off a dominant 5-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night and a strong 2-0 win against the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the week.
Sportsbooks currently list the Sabres as the favorites, with the moneyline at -125. The Kings will need to bring their ‘A’ game to secure a victory. Key matchups to watch will include the Kings’ defensive structure against Buffalo’s high-powered offense, and whether Artemi Panarin and Anze Kopitar can continue their scoring streaks against a stout Sabres defense.
For the Kings, this game is about establishing dominance on home ice and proving they can compete with elite competition. A victory would provide a massive confidence boost and further solidify their standing in the playoff race.
Looking Ahead: The Final Push
The next few weeks will define the Los Angeles Kings’ season. They have the talent, the coaching, and the schedule to make a deep run. The acquisition of Artemi Panarin has transformed their offense, while Anze Kopitar continues to defy Father Time with his historic performances. The emergence of young players like Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere provides crucial depth.
If the Kings can capitalize on the favorable schedule and navigate the pressure of the wild-card race, they have the potential to be a dangerous team in the postseason. The pieces are in place; now, it’s up to the players to execute. The dawn of the playoffs is approaching, and the Kings are ready to fight for their place in the sun.
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