The Colorado Avalanche are one step closer to winning a Stanley Cup for the second time in five years. On Sunday afternoon, the Avalanche easily defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 to clinch their spot in the second round. Colorado was heavily favored in this matchup, considering Los Angeles barely squeaked into the playoffs, but they were a feel-good team, considering their captain and franchise legend Anze Kopitar was set to retire at the end of the season.
With the game clock winding down, the Avalanche watched as Kings fans in Crypto.com Arena applauded Kopitar as he took the ice one last time and chanted "thank you Kopi."
As is customary at the end of playoff series, both teams lined up to shake hands. But the handshake lines meant a bit more, as Avalanche players paid their respects to Kopitar, with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Devon Toews, and Brock Nelson having extended conversations with the future Hall of Famer.
Anze Kopitar makes his way through the handshake line after his final NHL game 🥹 pic.twitter.com/gdmM1f5mcm
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 26, 2026
Avalanche pay tribute to Anze Kopitar after sweeping Kings
Kopitar had been in the league for 20 years, winning two Stanley Cup titles, two Selke Trophies for best defensive forward, and three Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship. He truly is one of a kind. The Avalanche know Kopitar well, as he scored 19 goals and recorded 47 assists in 70 career games.
During a post-game interview with the NHL on TNT crew, Gabriel Landeskog paid his respects to Kopitar.
Landeskog talks to the boys about advancing to Round 2 and the legend that is Anze Kopitar 👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/MuBYI6xRhD
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 26, 2026
"The ultimate pro," said Landeskog. "Somebody I've been watching even before I came into the league. I've gotten the pleasure of competing against for the last 14 years. Kind of the ultimate pro. You see even at the end of the game, his last few shifts, he's giving it his all. He's back-checking, he's forechecking, making little plays. I think anybody around the league's got so much respect for somebody like him. He's a staple in their lineup for those two Cups there. We were saying it on the bench in the third, he can still play another two-three years no problem."
Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood was a teammate of Kopitar's, albeit briefly, when he was with the Kings. Wedgewood praised Kopitar and wished him well in retirement.
"I was a teammate of his for two weeks when I got traded here before I got sent down. Really nice guy, obviously didn't spend more than maybe an hour in his presence for most of that. He's been in the league a long time, fun to watch, Stanley Cup champion, great human being," said Wedgewood, h/t Guerilla Sports. "They were proud of him, the 'thanks Kopi' chant was awesome for him to leave that way. Obviously it sucks that it's playoffs and it's over. Congrats to him and for him to get a couple of last shifts...Congrats to him on retirement, and all the best."
Kopitar going on one last Stanley Cup run would have been quite the memory for Kings fans. Unfortunately for them, the Avalanche were simply the better team. Because of that, Kopitar now will officially retire, where he'll have undoubtedly be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
As for the Avalanche, they will now await the winner of the Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars series, which is currently tied 2-2 through four games.
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