PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED

Printable (11X7) bracket with times and dates:
NHLBracket_2026_Rnd1.jpg
 

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Last season Avalanche supposed to play in finals,but hat trick by Rantanen sent them packing

a few years ago almost same Avalanche team were 2-0 vs Vegas and lost 4 in a row.I get that Kings" trash" by most analytics and advanced stats,but I don't see Wedgewhatever as second Patrick Roy yet.
 
If anyone recalls that 7 game series in 2001, game 7 was 1-1 going into the 3rd period and then lost 5-1 with an atrocious third. Although that Colorado team was loaded with talent, the Kings were right there. Perhaps this is the year we turn the tables on them. Unlikely, but never know. Not many gave that 2001 team a chance either.
 
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## 👑 LA Kings — 2026 Playoffs Outlook

The Kings have **clinched a playoff spot** as the 4th seed in the Pacific Division / 2nd Western wild card, finishing with a **35-27 record**.

Los Angeles has made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but has lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round during each of those appearances — so breaking that cycle is the big storyline.

**What's changed this year:**
- The Panarin acquisition is expected to spark what had been an underwhelming offense; before the trade, the Kings ranked fifth-worst in goals per game and fourth-worst in power-play percentage.
- Panarin joins a strong forward group featuring Adrian Kempe, 23-year-old Quinton Byfield, and veteran Anze Kopitar, who is playing in his final NHL season.
- Panarin's advanced metrics — particularly his elite offensive zone time and power-play production — should lift a Kings team that ranked in the bottom half of the league in offensive zone time percentage before his arrival.

The Kings are a dangerous team heading in, and with Panarin leading the charge alongside Byfield and Kopitar's farewell run, this may be their best shot in years at finally getting past the first round.
LoL AI doesn't think that Kings are that bad
 
dneprovec said:
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## 👑 LA Kings — 2026 Playoffs Outlook

The Kings have **clinched a playoff spot** as the 4th seed in the Pacific Division / 2nd Western wild card, finishing with a **35-27 record**.

Los Angeles has made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but has lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round during each of those appearances — so breaking that cycle is the big storyline.

**What's changed this year:**
- The Panarin acquisition is expected to spark what had been an underwhelming offense; before the trade, the Kings ranked fifth-worst in goals per game and fourth-worst in power-play percentage.
- Panarin joins a strong forward group featuring Adrian Kempe, 23-year-old Quinton Byfield, and veteran Anze Kopitar, who is playing in his final NHL season.
- Panarin's advanced metrics — particularly his elite offensive zone time and power-play production — should lift a Kings team that ranked in the bottom half of the league in offensive zone time percentage before his arrival.

The Kings are a dangerous team heading in, and with Panarin leading the charge alongside Byfield and Kopitar's farewell run, this may be their best shot in years at finally getting past the first round.
LoL AI doesn't think that Kings are that bad
Click to expand...
I asked Chat GPT to assess my commenting style on the major rock climbing site/app, Mountain Project, which is a user-supported database of outdoor rock climbs.

It compared me to Socrates.
 
You never know...the Kings could win a game or two. I just don't see how they can win FOUR from these guys. Everyone is saying Avs in 4 which is perfectly understandable. I mean, the Kings won a grand total of 22 games in regulation this year. For a "playoff" team that's pretty sh**ty.

It really comes down to how seriously the Avs take the Kings. If the Avs listen to the media about how easy this will be they could lose a few games. So it's really a function of the Avs and how they react and NOT how good or bad the Kings are. The 1st round can be dangerous for top teams....

jom
 
Clif said:
I asked Chat GPT to assess my commenting style on the major rock climbing site/app, Mountain Project, which is a user-supported database of outdoor rock climbs.

It compared me to Socrates.
Click to expand...
it's not Chatgpt
mine free version still don't believe that Panarin is playing for Kings ,not Rangers
 
For everyone who thinks they're going to crush us & it's not going to be close, this is my reply. Since the 1st presentation of the President's Trophy in 85-86, the winner has won the Stanley Cup just 8 times. They also lost in the 1st round 8 times. And for every team to get 120 points or more like Colorado, none have won the Stanley Cup, 1 lost in the conference finals, 2 lost in the 2nd round, & 4 lost in the 1st round. It doesn't mean we're going to win. But I like our chances for an upset. Kings in 6.
 
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