This is a make-or-break week for the Los Angeles Kings. If you’re a fan, it’s an incredibly stressful time as the team fights for its playoff life amidst a tough slump. Here are the key storylines surrounding the team and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 23-30, 2026.
The Wild Card Squeeze & Recent Slump
The Kings are firmly on the playoff bubble, currently trailing the Nashville Predators by just two points for the final Wild Card berth in the Western Conference. It’s an uphill battle right now, as the team has dropped 12 of its last 17 games.
Defenseman Mikey Anderson recently sounded off to the press about the urgency, noting that “scoreboard watching” isn’t enough and the team has to start securing points themselves.
Heartbreak in Utah
The Kings are coming off a grueling 4-3 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth yesterday (March 22). Big trade-deadline acquisition Artemi Panarin tied the game late in the third period to force overtime, but Nick Schmaltz netted the winner for Utah. It was a massive missed opportunity for two points against a conference rival.
Coaching & Roster Shakeups
The desperation is palpable following the recent firing of head coach Jim Hiller, with D.J. Smith now trying to right the ship as interim head coach. On a positive note, the team is getting some reinforcements: forward Joel Armia was activated from injured reserve this weekend, bringing some much-needed defensive responsibility and penalty-killing capability back to the bottom six.
Kopitar’s Milestone
On a brighter, historic note, captain Anze Kopitar recently set the all-time franchise record for points earlier this month, a bittersweet milestone given the team’s current standings.
Kings Upcoming Schedule
The Kings are heading into a pivotal three-game stretch over the next seven days. They hit the road for a quick Western Canadian trip against Pacific Division rivals the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks before returning to Los Angeles for a massive rematch against the Mammoth. This homestand opener against Utah on Saturday will be crucial, giving the Kings a direct chance to avenge Sunday’s overtime loss and claim vital conference points.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (PT) |
| Tue, Mar. 24 | Calgary Flames | Scotiabank Saddledome (Away) | 6:00 PM |
| Thu, Mar. 26 | Vancouver Canucks | Rogers Arena (Away) | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Mar. 28 | Utah Mammoth | Crypto.com Arena (Home) | 6:00 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.
