Avalanche’s Trade Deadline Additions Deliver in the Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche have swept the Los Angeles Kings, and it was a complete team effort. It wasn’t the prettiest series, with a bunch of goals and high-flying offense on display. It was gritty, scrappy, goals banking off defenders and teammates. While it was a team effort that showed just how promising this team can be, one factor really stood out: the trade-deadline additions.

While Scott Wedgewood was near-perfect, the top players like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas accounted for a large share of the goals. The players brought in at this past trade deadline really stood out and made a significant impact in this series, and show that they will need to be as important as they head towards the Stanley Cup finals.

Nicolas Roy Coming Up Clutch

When acquiring Roy, he is a player who can fill out the bottom-six but can also contribute effectively, as shown by his three goals and eight assists for 11 points in the 22 games of the 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights post-season. The start of this postseason could be another sign of how important he will be to the Avalanche and the third line with Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog. 

In four games, he finished with two goals and an assist for three points, all coming from even-strength play. His first point in the postseason was the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 2, rebounding a shot from Josh Manson on the blueline and backhanding it in to give the Avalanche a 2-0 lead heading into Los Angeles.

He continued his production in Game 3, helping with the scoring by setting up Landeskog, whose shot bounced off the end boards and off Anton Forsberg and in to make it 1-0. His point streak continued into Game 4 as he once again crashed the net for a loose puck rebound goal to make it 3-1 for the Avalanche in the third period.

The Landeskog-Kadri-Roy line through 26 minutes of ice time together has one of the best xGoals Against stats in the playoffs so far, to be exact, the fourth best at 0.7, while having a 53.3% xGoals%, which is higher than the Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas line, which sits at 52.8%

Nazem Kadri Could Heat Up In Round 2

Kadri wasn’t really “cold” in his first playoff round back with the Avalanche, but his chances just couldn’t be capitalized on. Though the stats still backed up his offensive and defensive production with Roy and Landeskog, and how important they were to the Avalanche in the first round. In the four games he played, he finished with only two assists, none on the power play (but that's another story for another day).

His first assist came in Game 3 when he set up Manson, whose shot was rebounded by Roy in overtime to secure the win. His second point came in Game 4, where he set up MacKinnon for a one-time blast to open the scoring and secure the team's first power play goal in the series.

Breaking News: Nazem Kadri Coming Home to Avalanche in Trade from FlamesBreaking News: Nazem Kadri Coming Home to Avalanche in Trade from FlamesThe trade heard round the world.

Though just like in their run in 2022, Kadri had a decent Round 1, finishing with three points in four games isnt nothing to scoff at but compared to his impact in Round 2, which saw him finish with seven points in six games, including a hat-trick to give the Avalanche a 3-1 lead after Game 4, we could see a similar display which will be needed if they go up against either the Dallas Stars or Minnesota Wild.

Brett Kulak Continues To Be As Reliable As Ever

Kulak's time with the Avalanche so far has been nothing but impressive. He fits a role this team can utilize so well, and he's been doing that ever since he joined the team. He continued it in the playoffs. Despite just one point in the four games, his reliability in making smart defensive plays and doing the right things offensively is what he does best, and it helps the team win.

REPORT: Avalanche Acquire Brett Kulak From Penguins in Exchange for Samuel Girard and Draft PickREPORT: Avalanche Acquire Brett Kulak From Penguins in Exchange for Samuel Girard and Draft PickThe Colorado Avalanche have acquired Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick

He notched his first point of the playoffs in Game 4, assisting MacKinnon when he scored on the empty net to make it 5-1 late in the third period. He leads the team in blocks with 14, and his advanced numbers really help back up his defensive play. His pairing with Sam Malinski ranks second in xGoals Against at 1.2 and third in xGoals Against Per 60 Minutes at 1.45.

Brett Kulak Delivers The Different Look Bednar WantedBrett Kulak Delivers The Different Look Bednar WantedLess than 24 hours after arriving, Brett Kulak delivered 19 steady minutes that quietly reshaped the Avalanche blue line and stabilized their structure from the back end out.

The Avalanche will have some time to rest and recover before facing their next opponent in Round 2. Still, if there is anything to take away from Round 1, it is that the acquisitions made by General Manager Chris McFarland and Joe Sakic have already made a strong impact and are likely to continue doing so in later rounds.

Breaking: Avalanche Forced Into First Lineup Change Of Playoffs After Manson InjuryBreaking: Avalanche Forced Into First Lineup Change Of Playoffs After Manson InjuryJosh Manson will miss Game 4 with an upper-body injury, forcing the Avalanche into their first lineup change of the postseason as Nick Blankenburg is set to make his playoff debut.
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Philadelphia Flyers At Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 Preview: Penguins Keep Same Lineup Ahead Of Another Elimination Game

The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination in Game 4 on Saturday and will have to do it again in Game 5 on Monday.

The Penguins played their best game of the series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, winning 4-2. They had the lead for the entire game and were able to lock things down in the final 10 minutes of the third period to extend their season. 

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring in the first period and also assisted on Kris Letang's game-winning goal in the third period. It was by far Crosby's best game of the series, and the Penguins will need him to play at that level again in Game 5 if they want to send the series back to Philadelphia. 

Outside of Crosby and Letang, Rickard Rakell and Connor Dewar scored for the Penguins in Game 4, and goaltender Arturs Silovs made 28 saves. Silovs got the start in place of Stuart Skinner and will start again on Monday. 

The Penguins are set to go with the same forward lines and defensive pairs for Game 5. 

Here's a look at the projected lineup:

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Rust

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

Soderblom-Kindel-Mantha

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Girard-Letang

Shea-Solovyov

The Flyers will make one lineup change for this game as Matvei Michkov will come out for Alex Bump. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and ESPN. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'


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Predators sign 3-time KHL All-Star forward Vitali Pinchuk to a 1-year, entry-level deal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Forward Vitali Pinchuk, who was third in the KHL in goals, has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators for the 2026-27 season.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced the signing Monday. Pinchuk, 24, had 31 goals and 66 points for Dinamo Minsk in the KHL.

Pinchuk is from Zhlobin, Belarus, and ranked among the top 10 KHL skaters in points per game in his fourth full season in the league. He was a three-time KHL All-Star.

Pinchuk established career highs with his 31 goals and 35 assists in the 2025-26 season. He helped Minsk reach the second round of the playoffs.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

'Hard To Keep It Together': Kopitar Shares Appreciation For Kings Fans In The Closing Moments Of NHL Career

It's the end of the road for Anze Kopitar. After announcing that this season would be his last in September, being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs made it official.

Two decades with the Los Angeles Kings and in the NHL, a pair of Stanley Cups, and he's grateful for every moment.

That includes the final moments of his NHL career when the clock was winding down in Game 4, and the fans at Crypto.com Arena were chanting his name. And around that time, he slowly started to realize that it was the end.

"It hit me about five, six minutes to go that this could be it," Kopitar said in his final media availability on Sunday. "For the last 20 years, I've never experienced that emotion. 'There's always a next year, there's always a next year,' and now it's done. So, it's hard to comprehend."

In the closing minutes of the contest, Kings fans began chanting, "Kopi, Kopi," and "Thank you, Kopi." 

The love that the Los Angeles faithful have shown to the Kings' captain has not been lost on Kopitar. In fact, their support is something that he'll cherish and remember forever.

'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings Career'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings CareerAnze Kopitar's teammates got emotional after the game when reflecting on his time with the Los Angeles Kings' organization. Here's what Adrian Kempe, Drew Doughty and Trevor Moore said of their longtime and well-respected captain.

"It was hard to keep it together, really," Kopitar told reporters about what it was like to hear the fans chanting his name.

"Being here for 20 years, more than half of my lifetime, it's extremely special. I really appreciate the fans; they've been behind me personally, they've been behind the team for all those years.

Family, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansFamily, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansWith just a sliver of the 2025-26 season and Anze Kopitar's NHL career remaining, the Los Angeles Kings captain was asked about his plans for retirement in a recent interview with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"I can truly say that they're probably one of the best fan bases in the entire league," Kopitar added.

The 38-year-old signs off with 1,628 regular-season and playoff games, scoring a total of 1,405 points in all those years of being one of the best pros in the sport.


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Wild's Mats Zuccarello, Yakov Trenin On The Ice For Practice Listed As 'Questionable'

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild (2-2) hit the ice for a practice before traveling for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars (2-2) in Dallas.

Minnesota evened the series with an overtime winner on Saturday after losing in double overtime in Game 3. It was a thriller to say the least.

The Wild did not practice on Sunday so this was the first practice since last game.

Mats Zuccarello, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, was on the ice to practice power play work.

“I think it’s a good sign," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Zuccarello practicing. "We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that. But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Yakov Trenin was also on the ice for practice. He has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.

“Trenny is the same," Hynes said. "It’s good that they both skated but they now have to see how they’re feeling. We’ll probably know more in the morning.”

It would be a nice addition for the Wild if they both come back, or if just one of them come back.

Minnnesota's power play has been struggling. Adding Zuccarello back to it would only help.

"He helps, for sure. You know, like I said he’s got a good mind for the game," Hynes said. "He’s a highly skilled player within the structure and you talk about different options, what are some of the things he sees or, you know a lot of times it’s little things. If he’s coming down in a certain situation, he moves his stick one way to look for this option. I think it’s more of the subtleties of it that I think he does, he talks about and sees as a player."

Hynes said that the two will be questionable to play in Game 5. He also said they were in Game 3 and both missed. He also said Zuccarello would be in Game 4 and he did not play either.

“I’d put them at questionable right now.”

But it is a positive that they both skated.

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Recent Wild Stories

NHL Must Address Jamie Benn After String of Dangerous, Uncalled PlaysNHL Must Address Jamie Benn After String of Dangerous, Uncalled PlaysJamie Benn's dangerous, uncalled playoff antics continue. The NHL faces pressure to address a pattern of reckless plays impacting star players.

- Wild's Mats Zuccarello, Yakov Trenin Out With Upper-Body Injuries.

- Stars' Top Center Remains Out Vs Wild For Next Two Games.

- Jesper Wallstedt Rewards Wild's Confidence In Game 1 Win.

- Wild's Vladimir Tarasenko Has Rediscovered His Scoring Prowess.

- Yakov Trenin Breaks Minnesota Wild Single-Season Hits Record.

Former Canucks In 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Nikita Zadorov Fined For Cross-Checking

Nikita Zadorov's wallet has become lighter this week. The former Vancouver Canucks and current Boston Bruins defenceman was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin over the weekend. On the play, Zadorov was assessed a major penalty and received a game misconduct.

The Bruins are facing elimination heading into Game 5 of their first-round series against the Sabres. Despite splitting the first two games, Boston was outscored 9-2 in front of their home fans in Games 3 and 4. Over the first four games of the series, Zadorov has recorded one assist, 37 penalty minutes and is averaging 18:07 of ice time per game. 

Zadorov has been fined once before in the playoffs. That came in 2024, when he cross-checked Connor McDavid in Game 3 while with the Canucks. The fine in 2024 was also for $5,000. 

The Bruins will look to keep their season alive on Tuesday as they travel to Buffalo for Game 5. Boston already has a victory away from home, as they won 4-2 in Game 2. Game time for Game 5 is scheduled for 4:30 pm PT. 

Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) gets set for a face-off during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) gets set for a face-off during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

Former Canucks In 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Kuzmenko And The Kings Fall In The First Round To The Colorado Avalanche

Canucks Could Become Vancouver’s Second Professional Hockey Team To Earn First-Overall Draft Selection In 2026

New Report Links Oilers Bill Scott To Canucks' Open General Manager Job

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The Hockey News

Sabres Surge In Game 4 Victory, While Bruins Lose Composure; Amerks Eliminated

The Buffalo Sabres were able to leave not much to doubt in Game 4 of their first round match in Boston on Sunday, taking advantage of a flat Bruins squad in a critical game for them to get back into the series. The Sabres took the legs out from under the Beantowners with four first-period tallies in a 6-1 thrashing at TD Garden to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series and potentially close out the series with a win on home ice on Tuesday night. 

Peyton Krebs, Josh Doan, Zach Benson, and Bowen Byram scored in an opening stanza that saw the Sabres outshoot the home squad 19-5. Boston only managed 24 shots on Alex Lyon, who posted his second straight victory. The quick start was a departure for the young Buffalo squad, who in the first three games seemed to play their best hockey in the third period when trailing or tied, which may be a sign of them gaining confidence and getting past some initial playoff nerves.

"I know sometimes (just playing the game) that's hard to do, and you only get experience by playing, whether it's one shift, one period, one game, one home game, one road game." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said.  "There's all kinds of different experience you can get, but the only way you can get it is to live it. If you feel a little anxiety about it, just go to the guys that have been there."

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Buffalo's anemic power play is being to become a concern

Conversely, the Bruins appear to be losing their composure after losing a pair on home ice. Goalie Jeremy Swayman said something to his teammates after being pulled in the third period in favor of backup Joonas Korpisalo after allowing six goals on 29 shots, while defenseman Nikita Zadorov was assessed a five-minor major and game misconduct for cross-checking Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin late in the game, and was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. After the game, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy called out his club after the game for their subpar effort. 

“You can’t sit with (this game), because if you carry it into next game, it’s not going to do you any good,” McAvoy said.  "Man to man in here, if we're not (bleep)ing embarrassed with what just happened, then I don't know what to say." 

Ruff provided an update on forwards Jason Zucker and Tyson Kozak, who missed a significant chunk of the third period, indicating that both probable for Game 5 on Tuesday, but that they are still being evaluated. Center Josh Norris, who missed Games 3 and 4 in Boston, will participate in the morning skate on Tuesday and could be available.

The Rochester Americans forced a deciding Game 3 of their first round series againstt the Toronto Marlies with a shutout win on Friday, but were eliminated by the Marlies 4-2 at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sunday. Konsta Helenius and Olivier Nadeau cut into an early Toronto lead to narrow the gap to 3-2, but the Amerks could not tie the game in the third period.  With Rochester eliminated, several Amerks will likely be recalled to serve as “black aces”/reserves for the Sabres for the length of their participation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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THN.com/Free

Former Canadiens First-Rounder Has Huge Moment vs. Oilers

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in overtime by a 4-3 final score in Game 4. With this, the Ducks now have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Oilers and three chances to knock out the back-to-back Western Conference champions. 

The Ducks can thank a former Montreal Canadiens forward for them being in this position, as Ryan Poehling stepped up big time for Anaheim in Game 4. 

At the 2:29 mark in overtime, Poehling scored the game-winning goal for Anaheim. While skating with the puck in the offensive zone, Poehling took a shot from the edge of the circle, and it just got by Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry for the goal.

With this clutch moment, Poehling now has three goals and a plus-2 rating in four playoff games so far this spring with the Ducks. The former Canadiens forward has certainly been having a strong postseason for Anaheim thus far, and he will now be looking to keep it going from here. 

Poehling was selected by the Canadiens with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he played his first three NHL seasons with the Habs, where he had 13 goals and 22 points in 85 games. 

Former Shark Check-In: Cody Ceci's Season Comes to an End

Another former member of the San Jose Sharks has seen their season come to a close in unceremonious fashion. Cody Ceci and the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday, as the Colorado Avalanche swept their first round matchup. 

Ceci, who signed a four-year contract with the Kings over the summer, failed to record a point in the playoffs and was a -2. 

Ceci was a member of the Sharks for just over half of a season, as he was traded to the Bay Area during the summer of 2024. The Sharks acquired him and a third-round pick for defenseman Ty Emberson. In 54 games for the Sharks, Ceci scored four goals and 15 points while being a -9. 

The Sharks then flipped Ceci to the Dallas Stars, alongside Mikael Granlund, ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline, with San Jose getting draft picks in return. 

Ceci will be a part of the Kings' blueline for the foreseeable future, as a result, the Sharks will see him quite a bit over the next few years as both teams will battle for a spot in the playoffs, much like this season.

Weekly Cupcakes: Avs sweep Kings, head to second round

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings shakes hands with Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Colorado Avalanche News

  • L.A. Kings fans chant “Thank you, Kopi” after the Avs sweep the Kings in LA in game four. [ESPN]
  • How the Avalanche have taken advantage of college free agency to make up for lost picks. [The Athletic]
  • ICYMI: Kings coach Smith showered with glass after Avs fan breaks pane behind bench in Game 2. [TSN]
  • Avalanche Defeats Kings 5-1 in Game Four to Complete Sweep, Advance to Round Two. [NHL]
  • Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood is on an NHL Playoffs run Colorado hasn’t seen since Patrick Roy. [Denver Post]

News Around the League

  • Sunday Overreactions: Should the NHL re-examine offside review? [Sportsnet]
  • Dallas Stars player narrowly avoids catastrophic injury in Game 4 loss at Minnesota. [Star-Telegram]
  • Senators stung by being swept in ‘really tight’ 1st-round series. [NHL]
  • Oilers give Tristan Jarry playoff start in Game 4 of series against Ducks. [Western Wheels]
  • Cole Caufield pens a look at the early years of his career with the Montreal Canadiens. [Players’ Tribune]

Anze Kopitar’s 2-decade career with the Los Angeles Kings ends in cheers and tears with playoff loss

Anze Kopitar

Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) looks on during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

William Liang/William Liang-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES — Anze Kopitar skated to center ice and slowly circled, his arm raised in gratitude, while he took in one last standing ovation. His Los Angeles Kings teammates pounded their sticks on the ice before escorting him to the bench and up the tunnel for the final time.

The Kings captain’s two-decade NHL career ended with the pain of a first-round playoff sweep by the Colorado Avalanche, yet he also basked in the love and well-wishes of every fan and teammate who came along for the last stretch of this remarkable journey.

“It was hard to keep it together, really,” Kopitar said. “Being here for 20 years, more than half of my lifetime, it’s extremely special. I really appreciate the fans.”

After arriving in Los Angeles as a raw Slovenian teenager, Kopitar played more games and scored more points than anybody in Kings history. He grew into a team captain and a family man with a wife and two children.

And he won two Stanley Cups, of course.

With a formidable legacy secured, Kopitar could smile through tears as he began the next chapter of his life in retirement.

“It’s very bittersweet, for sure,” Kopitar said afterward with his kids standing nearby. “There’s going to be some tears, yes, but that’s the way life goes, right? It’s a circle. It’s been one hell of a ride for 20 years. The good, the bad and the ugly. Not the way we wanted to go out, but it happened, and we’ve got to live with it.”

Kopitar’s 20th season with the Kings ended with their 5-1 loss to the powerhouse Avalanche, who have looked like the NHL’s best team for most of this season. Kopitar had experience in being on the best team during Los Angeles’ run to its only two championships and a Western Conference finals in a three-season stretch of glory from 2012-14.

The Kings never recaptured that excellence in his second decade, losing seven consecutive first-round playoff series, but he served as their captain for 10 years and cemented his status as a beloved sports figure in Southern California.

Even after the Avalanche won the first three games of this series, Kopitar was hopeful his career wasn’t quite over. When Colorado went up 4-1 in the third period of Game 4, he realized time was short.

“It hit me with about five, six minutes to go that this could be it,” Kopitar said. “For the last 20 years, I’ve never experienced that. There’s always a next game, there’s always a next year, and now it’s done. So it’s hard to comprehend.”

His fans in Los Angeles didn’t want to say goodbye: They repeatedly chanted his name in the third period and serenaded him with “Thank you Kopi!” He got standing ovations on his final two shifts before the final horn.

He then got hugs from Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog and superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in a warm postgame handshake line.

“He’s a special guy on and off the ice with what he’s done and what he’s meant to this city,” said Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, who spent many years playing against Kopitar with the rival San Jose Sharks.

Adrian Kempe and other Kings were in tears afterward when they contemplated life after Kopitar’s captaincy. Drew Doughty, Kopitar’s teammate since 2008, uncharacteristically was lost for words.

“I’m trying not to think about it right now, but man, he had an unbelievable career,” said Doughty, now the only player left in Los Angeles from its two championship teams. “He means so much to this organization. It’s going to be tough without him.”

The Kings made 11 playoff appearances with Kopitar, who played in a franchise-record 107 postseason games. Only Wayne Gretzky scored more points for Los Angeles in the playoffs than Kopitar.

He ended the regular season as the Kings’ career leader in games played (1,521), assists (864), points (1,316 after finally passing Marcel Dionne), overtime points (34) and game-winning goals (79). He scored his final goal on March 28, and he went scoreless in the four-game series against Colorado.

The farewell that began in September with his retirement announcement finally ended in late April. Kopitar has said he is moving his family back to Slovenia next year to allow his children to pursue their passions in hockey and figure skating.

“That’s what they deserve,” Kopitar said of his kids. “They’ve been 11 years (and) 9 years with a so-called part-time dad, and now they’ll get full time.”

'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings Career

As of Sunday, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar has officially retired from the NHL following a 4-0 series loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It was an emotional ending for Kopitar and Kings fans, but no one was more emotional than his teammates after the game.

In the aftermath of Sunday's 5-1 defeat, Drew Doughty, Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe spoke to the media and were asked to reflect on Kopitar's 20-year career in Los Angeles. 

Kempe, teammate of Kopitar's since being drafted by the Kings in 2014, had trouble sharing his thoughts because of how emotional he was, choking up and having tears in his eyes.

"He's been there my entire career," Kempe told reporters. "(I) want to thank him for everything he's done."

Later, he was asked about how different the team's leadership would be with Kopitar no longer a part of the group, and he could barely get through his answer.

"It's going to be different, obviously, leadership," he admitted. "Other guys, myself, have to step up."

How Kopitar Went From The Slovenian Kid to The Greatest King Ever How Kopitar Went From The Slovenian Kid to The Greatest King Ever With the Kings losing 5-1 to the Colorado Avalanche, it marks the end of the season for the Kings, but it also means the NHL is losing one of the greatest players ever to play.

Doughty, another longtime teammate of Kopitar's, also didn't say much in his media availability. But that didn't stop him from looking back on the career he's had.

"He had an unbelievable career," the Kings' defenseman told reporters. "Means so much to this organization, and yeah, it's going to be tough without him."

With Kopitar now retired, Doughty becomes the longest-active tenured player for Los Angeles, just completing his 18th campaign with the organization.

Family, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansFamily, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansWith just a sliver of the 2025-26 season and Anze Kopitar's NHL career remaining, the Los Angeles Kings captain was asked about his plans for retirement in a recent interview with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Left winger Trevor Moore was able to provide more of an assessment regarding what Kopitar meant to the franchise, but also to his teammates and the guys in the dressing room over the years.

"I think the culture that he brought, the no nonsense, be a pro when you come to the rink, play the game the right way," Moore said to the media. "If you cheat, it's unacceptable because Kopi never cheats.

"He's just a guy that everyone looks to. 'What do we wear in meetings?' All that kind of stuff… runs through Kopi."


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NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Today, April 27: Saves Add Up for Silovs

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The NHL playoffs continue to deliver, and I’ve got a trio of NHL player props for the pair of games on the ice this Monday, April 27.

My NHL picks begin with Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs in the early game, and wrap up with Utah Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka in the nightcap.

Best NHL player prop bets today

PlayerBet99
Penguins Silovs Over 22.5 saves-110
Mammoth Schmaltz Under 0.5 points+120
Mammoth Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves-130

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Our best NHL player props for Monday, April 27

Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.

Prop #1: Arturs Silovs Over 22.5 saves

-110 at BET99

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs turned away 28 of 30 shots with 1.68 goals saved above expected to extend the series in Game 4, and he’s no stranger to postseason success.

The 25-year-old Latvian played 10 playoff games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024, and he was the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP after a championship run with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks last spring.

The Philadelphia Flyers have also recorded 27.7 shots per game across the past three, so Silovs stands to see enough rubber to go Over the number again tonight.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet

Prop #2: Nick Schmaltz Under 0.5 points

+120 at BET99

Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz plays go-to minutes. It’s just that those minutes are coming against the best players jumping the boards for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Schmaltz is overmatched.

He’s only been on the ice for 0.83 expected goals and a 31.0 xGF% while combining with wingers Lawson Crouse and Clayton Keller for a 34.9 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5.

I'm backing Schmaltz to go pointless for the third time in four games in this series.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet

Prop #3: Karel Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves

-130 at BET99

It’s been a solid series for Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka. He’s posted a .916 SV% with 2.75 GSAx, and despite Utah posting just a 42.6 CF% and 44.4 xGF% at 5-on-5 through the first three games, the Mammoth hold the 2-1 series lead.

With the Golden Knights driving the play, behind in the series and averaging 28.0 shots per game, look for the ice to continue tilting in their direction in Game 4.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet

These props are available now at BET99, one of our best betting sites.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Sidney Crosby, Penguins aim to extend season again vs. Flyers. Mammoth look for 3-1 lead on Golden Knights

Sidney Crosby

Apr 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates back to the bench after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Eric Hartline/Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

At one point, Sidney Crosby could have seen more of himself on an interstate billboard than on a playoff highlight reel for the Penguins.

Ask anyone who has followed his career, the two-time NHL MVP doesn’t stay down for long.

Crosby responded like a captain should with his Pittsburgh Penguins in a 0-3 series hole to the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, notching his first goal, an assist and a screen that set up longtime teammate Kris Letang’s crucial goal in a 4-2 series-extending win.

“With every game of the series, it’s more difficult,” Crosby said. “But we’ve got some life and we’ve got to take advantage of the opportunity of going back home now.”

The 38-year-old Crosby, now in his 21st NHL season, long had tormented the Flyers. He has more points against them than any other player has scored against Philadelphia, along with thrice raising the Stanley Cup since the Flyers won their two titles in 1974 and 1975.

He still has to absorb the boos and profane chants directed at him from the moment he hits the ice for warmups to his final shift. The sports travel group Phans of Philly even paid for a billboard of Crosby lying face down on the ice along with the definition of embellishment after he was penalized for it in Game 3. And he managed one assist through the first three games.

But he made a heads-up play when he kicked the puck to Letang and also set a savvy screen on defenseman Travis Sanheim, allowing Letang to have a clean look when beating Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar for a 3-1 third-period lead.

“It’s all those little details sometimes,” Letang said. “It’s not the crazy play or the passes. Finding a guy back post sometimes, it’s little details, like, picking the guy giving me a lot of time to pick my shot was an amazing play. So it just shows you how much IQ he has on the ice and, you know, what to do at every moment in every situation.”

Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins

When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Monday, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)

Series: Flyers lead 3-1

The Flyers missed their chance to advance to play the Carolina Hurricanes, who never trailed at any point in the series in their four-game sweep of Ottawa. The Hurricanes will take the breather — while the NHL will gladly take at least one extra game in the first round’s signature rivalry series.

The Flyers still are in control with a significant lead. Coach Rick Tocchet preached in the moments after Game 3 that clinchers are often the toughest to win. The Flyers proved their coach right once.

“I don’t know if it’s complacent, we didn’t do the little small things,” Tocchet said.

The Flyers overcame youth and inconsistencies to reach the playoffs courtesy of a 14-4-1 run, becoming the NHL’s first team to make it after being 10 points out of contention with 22 or fewer games remaining. Then they surprised the NHL — and probably themselves — by winning twice in Pittsburgh and then Game 3 at home in their first postseason appearance since 2020.

“If somebody told you before the series it was going to be 3-1 after four games, you guys wouldn’t believe us,” Vladar said. “So we are good. Nothing’s changing for us. Still being positive in here. They are a really good team. It’s not easy to win four in a row against a team like that.”

Vegas Golden Knights at Utah Mammoth

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Monday, 9:30 pm EDT (ESPN)

Series: Mammoth lead 2-1

Utah won its first-ever home playoff game by maximizing limited scoring chances.

Vegas only allowed 12 shots on goal, a franchise low for any playoff game. The Golden Knights even held the Mammoth to a single shot in the third period. It didn’t matter. Utah ripped off four unanswered goals over the first 30 minutes — converting half of their first eight shots on goal — while cruising to a 4-2 victory for the 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Lawson Crouse led the way, scoring twice over a six-minute span early in the second period.

“I think we stuck with it,” Utah forward Clayton Keller said. “They’re a great team, and they make you work for everything.”

Vegas allowed far fewer chances to score than it did during its Game 2 loss at home. The Golden Knights are feeling confident that’s a trend they can carry into Game 4 and perhaps steal a road win in Salt Lake City.

“We defend the proper way, then our offense will come, and I have full trust in the guys that way,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said.

Ridly Greig To Have Hearing For Sucker Punch On Sean Walker

It looks like the NHL is going to be adding insult to injury for the Ottawa Senators.

Just a day after they were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Carolina Hurricanes, the league announced that Senators forward Ridly Greig would be having a hearing related to a sucker punch he threw at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.

During a second period scrum, Walker was already engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele when Greig decided to throw an uppercut on Walker.

There was no penalty called on the play, but there was significant outcry around the league from the media, fans and former players regarding the dirty cheap shot. 

According to Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch, the hearing will be over the phone, meaning Greig can be suspended for only a maximum of five games to begin next season.


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