In a night of high emotion and relentless play, Anze Kopitar cemented his legacy as the Los Angeles Kings‘ all-time points leader, only for the New Jersey Devils to shatter the celebration with a wild 6-4 comeback win, capped by Jack Hughes‘ go-ahead power-play goal with 2:29 left. This result intensifies the Kings’ scramble for the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot while the Devils, despite Elimination, showcase a fading core’s resilience.
Anze Kopitar, announcing this season as his final NHL campaign—all 20 years with the Kings—entered Saturday’s game needing one point to surpass Marcel Dionne‘s franchise record of 1,307 points. He achieved it in style, scoring twice, including a power-play one-timer that temporarily gave Los Angeles a lead. But the milestone moment was quickly overshadowed by a Devils rally that exposed the Kings’ vulnerability in a tight playoff race.
The game unfolded as a back-and-forth spectacle, with the Devils striking first. Cody Glass opened scoring at 7:58 of the first period with a wobbly shot from the slot, and Nico Hischier doubled the lead three minutes later by burying a rebound off his own deflected chance. New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen held the fort early, but the Kings regrouped during intermission and stormed back in the second period.
Kopitar sparked the comeback on the power play at 4:15, redirecting Brandt Clarke‘s cross-ice pass to the doorstep. Less than two minutes later, Artemi Panarin tied the game with a top-shelf shot from the high slot. Then, Taylor Ward gave the Kings the lead with a one-timer from the point at 11:43. The sequence highlighted Los Angeles’ offensive firepower, but also their inability to sustain pressure.
The Third Period Collapse and Hughes’ Heroics
The Devils, facing a potential loss, unleashed a four-goal final period that shifted the game’s momentum entirely. Just 25 seconds into the third, Arseny Gritsyuk evened the score by batting home a pass from Lenni Hameenaho during a 2-on-1 rush. Hischier then put New Jersey ahead again at 12:42 with a power-play marker, pouncing on a loose puck. Kopitar responded 60 seconds later with another power-play goal, a fluttering one-timer from the right circle to tie it 4-4. But the Kings’ final push fell short as Jack Hughes delivered the decisive blow.
With overtime looming, Hughes converted a one-timer from the right circle on the power play with 2:29 remaining, a moment that silenced the Kings’ comeback hopes and sparked the Devils’ bench. Timo Meier later sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, capping the wild 6-4 scoreline.
Why This Matters: Kings’ Playoff Push and Kopitar’s Farewell
For the Kings, this loss is a brutal setback in their battle for the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot. They sit on the bubble, and failing to secure at least one point against a Devils team that is all but eliminated from playoff contention magnifies their inconsistency. Anton Forsberg‘s 22 saves weren’t enough to overcome the defensive lapses, particularly in the third period when the Kings allowed four goals. The team’s reliance on Kopitar‘s heroics, while noble, underscores a lack of secondary scoring depth that could doom their postseason aspirations.
For Kopitar, the milestone is a testament to his two-decade dominance with the Kings. His 1,308 points place him among the franchise’s immortals, but the night ended in frustration. As he embarks on a farewell tour, each game becomes a celebration of his career, yet the competitive fire burns bright. This loss highlights the harsh reality of the NHL: individual achievements often pale against team outcomes, especially for a veteran seeking a final playoff run.
Devils’ Glimmer in a Lost Season
The Devils, mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, played with the freedom of a team with nothing to lose. Nico Hischier‘s two goals and two assists, along with contributions from Gritsyuk, Meier, and Glass, showed flashes of the potential that once made New Jersey a Stanley Cup favorite. Jack Hughes continued his ascent as a clutch performer, and Jake Allen‘s 27 saves provided steady goaltending. While their season is effectively over, wins like this build momentum for a young core looking to rebound next year.
Fan Context: The “What-If” Scenarios and Trade Rumors
Kings fans are left to ponder: what if the team had secured this game? With a tight wild-card race, two points could have solidified their position. The loss reignites debates about roster deficiencies, particularly on the blue line, where Brandt Clarke‘s three assists can’t mask defensive lapses. Trade deadline whispers, already circulating, will grow louder as the March 5 deadline approaches. Could the Kings add a defensive piece to support Forsberg and protect leads?
For Devils supporters, the game is a bittersweet capstone to a disappointing season. Hughes’ rise is a silver lining, and Hischier’s leadership remains a guiding light. But the “what-if” of a healthy, more cohesive team lingers, reminding fans of the narrow margins between contention and irrelevance.
Looking Ahead: Kings’ Schedule and Kopitar’s Legacy
The Kings face a critical stretch of games against Western Conference rivals, with each point crucial for their playoff hopes. Kopitar‘s pursuit of a deep run now carries added weight: can he elevate his team in the final games of his career? His performance—two goals, including a power-play marker—shows he’s still capable of dominating, but the third-period collapse raises questions about the team’s mental toughness.
As the season winds down, Kopitar’s milestone will be remembered, but the outcome of this game serves as a stark reminder: in hockey, the story is rarely about one night, but the cumulative grind of 82 games. The Devils spoiled the party, but the Kings’ ultimate fate remains in their hands.
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