With the regular season winding down, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Los Angeles Kings as they fight to secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here are the key storylines surrounding the team and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 30 – April 6, 2026.
The Make-or-Break Playoff Push
The Kings are currently sitting fourth in the Pacific Division with a 29-26-18 record (76 points). However, they have hit a poorly timed slump, going 1-2-3 in their last six games.
They are outside a playoff spot by one point, making this week’s games absolutely critical.
Injury News
The team is still reeling from the devastating, season-ending lower leg injury Kevin Fiala suffered during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Kings’ offense is heavily relying on newly acquired superstar Artemi Panarin and veteran Adrian Kempe (who is currently battling a nagging lower-body injury) to carry the scoring load. Center Sammy Helenius is also listed day-to-day after an undisclosed injury during the Utah Mammoth game on Saturday.
Anze Kopitar’s Farewell Tour
The legendary captain is playing in his final NHL campaign. Kopitar recently set the all-time franchise record for points in mid-March, and the entire organization is highly motivated to get him into the playoffs for one last run at the Cup. The Kings are celebrating Kopitar with a pregame ceremony on April 2.
D.J. Smith’s New System and Roster Shakeups
Following the dismissal of Jim Hiller, interim head coach D.J. Smith has been implementing a heavier, shutdown style of hockey. This system is being spearheaded by recent trade deadline acquisition Scott Laughton, who was brought in by general manager Ken Holland to give the team a more gritty, playoff-ready identity.
Kings Upcoming Schedule
The Kings are facing a pivotal four-game homestand at Crypto.com Arena over the next seven days. Because they are sliding in the standings, maximizing points on home ice is non-negotiable.
They open April against a desperate St. Louis Blues team, followed by a demanding back-to-back against the Nashville Predators. Sandwiched in between the Predators matchups is a marquee Saturday night showdown against the high-flying Toronto Maple Leafs. If the Kings want to hold their ground in the Western Conference wild-card race, their defense will need to tighten up, and their new top-six forwards must find immediate chemistry.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EDT) |
| Wednesday, April 1 | vs. St. Louis Blues | Crypto.com Arena | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, April 2 | vs. Nashville Predators | Crypto.com Arena | 10:30 PM |
| Saturday, April 4 | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | Crypto.com Arena | 7:00 PM |
| Monday, April 6 | vs. Nashville Predators | Crypto.com Arena | 10:30 PM |
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
