The Los Angeles Kings are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. This franchise was once setting the standard in the West but has struggled to secure wins this season, especially in extra minutes. One reason behind this drop is their scoring woes and special teams, which have intensified the pressure on the current roster.
This season naturally leads us to reflect on the previous four playoff appearances in which they met with failure against the same team each time. During a recent conversation with NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, their captain, Anze Kopitar, reflected on why the Kings’ recent failure against Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers remains particularly difficult to move past.
Anze Kopitar Revisits Missed Chance in Playoff Loss Against Edmonton Oilers
Kopitar did not hesitate when reflecting on the loss that still stands out in his mind, pointing directly to the series against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in 2025. Speaking with Friedman on the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Kopitar described how that matchup slipped away despite early control.
“I think probably last year’s loss to Edmonton… we were up 2-0 and had the game on our stick,” Kopitar said, recalling how close the Kings were to taking command.
He added that if they had won either Game 3 or Game 4, the momentum could have shifted completely in their favor. “I don’t remember exactly, but we had a good chance,” Kopitar said.
“And if we win either Game 3 or 4 and we’re up 3-1 coming home, I thought we would have a really good chance of closing them out and then, you know, go on to the next round. So maybe that one stings the most.”
The numbers from that series support his frustration. Los Angeles opened with back-to-back wins but then dropped four straight, losing the series 4-2.
However, the momentum shifted quickly in Game 3 when a failed coach’s challenge led to a power-play goal just 10 seconds later, a moment that changed the tone. Game 4 followed a similar pattern, with another late collapse sending it to overtime, leaving the series tied rather than in the Kings’ control.
ALSO READ: Insider Reveals Connor McDavid’s Wife Lauren’s ‘Massive’ Role in Oilers Organization
At the same time, Edmonton’s unit regained its edge, with players like Leon Draisaitl delivering in crucial moments. That swing in efficiency exposed the gap between the two teams when it mattered most.
Depth became another issue as the games wore on. Los Angeles relied heavily on its core group and lost Game 5 3-1, then Game 6 6-4.
That loss extended a troubling trend, marking the fourth straight year the Kings were eliminated by the Oilers. It also added to a broader history where Edmonton has repeatedly had the upper hand in postseason meetings. Since their 2014 Stanley Cup win, the Kings have not advanced past the first round, highlighting how this matchup has shaped their recent identity.
Even now, Kopitar believes the team still has a chance to change that narrative. “We’re hanging around… we feel good about where our game is going,” he said, acknowledging they remain in the mix.
However, until they break through, that missed moment against Edmonton will continue to linger.
