Los Angeles Kings’ 3 Biggest Rivalries in Franchise History – The Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

Few things make the NHL more exciting than a heated rivalry, and the Los Angeles Kings have been part of several memorable ones. The Pacific Division is filled with plenty of thrilling and fast-paced matchups, making it one of the most competitive divisions in the league. The top three opponents that stand out compared to the rest of the teams are the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Edmonton Oilers. Each rivalry has its own personality and flair, making the matchup that more exciting.

Matchup Against the Oilers

Historically, the matchup against the Oilers remains the most competitive and fan-hated by far. Both teams met originally in 1979, and from there, their rivalry hasn’t eased. It became even more personal when Edmonton traded Wayne Gretzky and Marty McSorley to Los Angeles in 1988. Gretzky had been the face of the Oilers dynasty, so seeing him wearing a Kings uniform added another layer to an already intense matchup. In 1989, Gretzky helped Los Angeles eliminate his former team in a seven-game playoff series, the last time the Kings defeated Edmonton in a postseason series for decades.

Since then, that rivalry returned in the 2020s. The Kings and Oilers met in the first round of the playoffs four consecutive times from 2022 through 2025. Edmonton won every series, including a seven-game battle in 2022, a six-game series in 2023, a five-game series in 2024 and another six-game series in 2025. The hatred between the two teams has only grown with each playoff meeting, making this one of the most exciting rivalries in the Pacific Division.

Matchup Against the Ducks

Another fan-favorite rivalry is the legendary matchup between the Ducks and the Kings. Often called the Freeway Faceoff, the two teams meet up during the regular season and battle it out. Their rivalry is a bit different considering both are based in Southern California and competing for the first spot in their division.

The Ducks were originally established in 1993, and since their arrival, each game has been no less than pure entertainment and fun with a lot of competition. Los Angeles and Anaheim have developed a heated rivalry that brings plenty of intensity whenever the two teams meet (from ‘The Ducks and Kings are very different teams that share the same goal of winning’ – The Athletic, 11/28/25). Being located so close to each other has only added to the excitement between the two fan bases. Every matchup gives both teams another chance to compete for bragging rights in Southern California.

Matchup Against the Sharks

The Kings and Sharks began playing against each other when San Jose entered the league in 1991. Because both teams have spent much of their histories in the same division, they have faced one another frequently in impactful games. Their rivalry became especially intense in the 2010s. The first playoff meeting came in 2011, when the Sharks eliminated Los Angeles in six games. The teams met again in 2013, with the Kings winning a seven-game series. Their rivalry reached another peak in 2014.

In the same season, the Sharks looked like they had the series under control after jumping out to a 3–0 lead in the first round. But the Kings refused to give up, winning four straight games to complete one of the biggest comebacks in NHL playoff history. Los Angeles became just the fourth team at the time to overcome a 3–0 series deficit, and they went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.

Players like Jonathan Quick made the rivalry memorable with his strong goaltending and clutch performances. The rivalry continued in 2016, when San Jose defeated Los Angeles in five games before making a run to the Stanley Cup Final. The two teams have also had exciting regular-season battles, including the 2015 Stadium Series at Levi’s Stadium, where the Kings came away with a 2–1 victory.

Which Rivalry Is the Best?

Personally, the matchup I find the best is between the Kings and the Ducks. It’s filled with plenty of excitement, competition, and intensity every time these two teams take the ice. The game becomes more exciting because the teams are located so close to each other in Southern California. Both teams always bring a high level of energy, making their duel especially fun to watch.