Kopitar's Career Ends After Avalanche Sweep Kings

As the Colorado Avalanche completed the sweep against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs, it marked not only the end of the Kings' season but also the end of Anze Kopitar's NHL career.

Following a 5-1 loss to the Avalanche in Game 4, Kopitar, the longtime star and captain of the Kings, officially announced his retirement from the NHL. Kopitar had revealed before the 2025-26 regular season that this would be his final season.

Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Kopitar received a heartfelt farewell from Kings fans at Crypto.com Arena. With around three minutes left in the third period, the crowd chanted, 'Kopi, Kopi,' and expressed their gratitude with loud cheers.

When he took the ice for one of the last shifts of his career, he received a standing ovation from the crowd. Kopitar exits the league having played 20 seasons, tallying 1,521 regular-season games and 107 postseason appearances, all with Los Angeles.

He leaves a legacy as the franchise's all-time leading scorer and assist leader, having played the most seasons and games in Kings history. Kopitar's accolades include three Lady Byng Trophies, two Selke Trophies, and two Stanley Cups, the only two in Kings franchise history, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in the team's history.

According to The Hockey News, there's little doubt he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.