The Kings Just Beat the Kraken 5-3, and the Playoffs Are Happening Tonight

It's April 14, 2026, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are happening right now. Teams across the league are either locking in their spots or watching their seasons end in real time. The Los Angeles Kings just rolled into T-Mobile Park and took down the Kraken 5-3 in what was a tough loss for the home squad.

Kraken Fall to Kings in Playoff Push

The Kraken came out fighting but couldn't quite get the job done against LA. A 5-3 final isn't the kind of result you want to see when every win matters down the stretch. The Kings showed up and made their plays when it counted, leaving Seattle on the wrong side of a crucial matchup during this critical stretch of the season.

Across the League, Playoff Spots Are Being Decided

This is the kind of night where careers are being made and seasons are being decided. The Flyers clinched a playoff berth with a shootout win. Multiple teams are already locked out of postseason play. The Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time since 2023. The Blue Jackets missed for the sixth straight year. The Predators are out for the second straight season. The Sharks, meanwhile, missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Jets missed the postseason just one season after winning the Presidents' Trophy.

What's Next for Seattle

For the Kraken, there's no time to dwell on this loss. The playoff picture is still being written, and every remaining game is playoff hockey. The margin between making it and missing it is razor thin. Teams that slip up get left behind. Teams that lock in find their way in. Seattle needs to respond and find their game fast.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.