The Kings were expected to do better in Anze Kopitar’s final campaign. However, the team has struggled significantly this season, ranking 29th in average goals per game with just 2.53. As of now, they are three points outside the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Recent Developments
In a recent match on March 7, 2026, Anze Kopitar posted one assist in the Kings’ 5-3 win over the Islanders, contributing to ending a five-game losing streak by defeating the Calgary Flames 2-0. Despite this victory, Kopitar has accumulated only 25 points (6 goals, 19 assists) in 46 games this season.
The Kings made a significant change on March 1, 2026, when they fired coach Jim Hiller. D.J. Smith was named interim head coach following Hiller’s departure, as the team looks for a new direction to improve their performance.
Kopitar expressed his frustration with the team’s inconsistent performance, stating, “We’ve just got to flat-out perform better.” He further emphasized the need for improvement, saying, “It wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t consistent enough. We’re looking for a jolt here and a spark to get our game together.”
Looking Ahead
Observers are keen to see how the Kings will respond under interim coach D.J. Smith as they aim to turn their season around. With Kopitar’s leadership and experience, there is hope that the team can find the necessary spark to compete for a playoff spot, a feat they have not achieved since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.
