Kings Celebrate Top Performers as They Gear Up for Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Los Angeles Kings have navigated a tumultuous 2025-26 season, yet they find themselves heading to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. With a mix of drama, excitement, and standout performances, this season will surely linger in the memories of Kings fans.

Several major narratives emerged from Los Angeles this year, including Anze Kopitar’s farewell tour, Adrian Kempe’s contract negotiations, and the arrival of Artemi Panarin. Notably, the Kings also set a record with 20 overtime losses, underscoring the rollercoaster nature of their campaign. As the regular season comes to a close, it’s time to honor the team’s top performers with some awards.

Honorable mentions for standout players include Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. Adrian Kempe, who entered the season amidst contract extension discussions, ultimately signed a substantial eight-year, $85 million deal, allowing him to focus on his game. The 29-year-old forward played in 81 games, netting 36 goals and 37 assists for a total of 73 points. This marks his fourth career season with over 30 goals and his third consecutive season exceeding 70 points.

When the stakes were highest, Kempe consistently rose to the occasion, leading the team with eight game-winning goals, four of which came during 3-on-3 overtime—a tally that placed him second in the NHL behind Cole Caufield. As Kopitar prepares for retirement, Kempe is stepping up as a potential face of the franchise in the years to come.

On the blue line, Brandt Clarke has emerged as a key player, deserving of recognition for his significant contributions this season. The 23-year-old defenseman played all 82 games, achieving career highs with eight goals and 32 assists for a total of 40 points, while also posting a +11 rating on a team that struggled to score. His performance on the power play was particularly noteworthy, with 13 points coming from that unit, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple ways.

Fans should be optimistic about Clarke’s trajectory as he continues to develop after being selected eighth overall in the draft. Honorable mentions for the best defenseman include Joel Edmundson and Drew Doughty, while Taylor Ward and Anton Forsberg were recognized for most improved player.

Artemi Panarin’s mid-season arrival has also proven pivotal for the Kings. After joining the team in February, the 34-year-old winger has lived up to expectations, producing at over a point-per-game pace. In 26 games with Los Angeles, he tallied nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points, forming a strong connection with Kempe and Kopitar. Though his goal-scoring could see improvement, his contributions have been invaluable, especially for a team that has not had a point-per-game player since 2023.

As the Kings prepare for the playoffs, all eyes will be on Panarin and the impact he can make during his first full season in Los Angeles in 2026-27.

Lastly, goaltender Anton Forsberg has exceeded expectations after being brought in to serve as a backup to Darcy Kuemper. With Kuemper sidelined for parts of the season due to injuries, Forsberg stepped up, delivering some of the best hockey of his career. In 31 starts and 36 appearances, he registered a 16-12-5 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage, even tying a career high with three shutouts. Forsberg’s performance has positioned him as a potential starter for the first game against the Colorado Avalanche, showcasing just how critical he has been in securing the Kings’ playoff berth.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.