{"id":521047,"date":"2026-03-24T23:38:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/521047\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T23:38:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:38:48","slug":"playoff-updates-for-the-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/521047\/","title":{"rendered":"Playoff Updates for the Prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the LA Kings\u2019<\/a> season is winding down, the playoffs for some of their prospects have begun, or are about to begin, in their respective leagues. Today, we will break down which prospects have made the playoffs or those who have already started.<\/p>\n

Here we go!<\/p>\n

Rimpinen helps Kiekko-Espoo stave off elimination<\/p>\n

Liiga (Finland) already started its playoffs this past weekend. As a memory refresher, the top 12 teams make the playoffs, with the top four seeds getting a bye in the opening round, while the fifth through 12th seeds play in a best-of-five series.<\/p>\n

Petteri Rimpinen<\/a> and Kiekko-Espoo finished as the ninth seed and face the eighth seed, HC \u00c4ss\u00e4t Pori (Aces). Kiekko-Espoo dropped the first two games, but staved off elimination in Game Three with a 5-2 victory. Rimpinen has posted a 2.36 GAA and a .909 save percentage in the three games. Game Four is this morning, and Kiekko-Espoo will look to force a winner-take-all Game Five.<\/p>\n

Huomenna osa 4 KOTONA\ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n

Kruunu tarvitsee kuningaskuntaansa!
Liput osoitteesta: https:\/\/t.co\/CgNgwtWJEi<\/a>#KiekkoEspoo<\/a> #KiviKova<\/a> #Siniverinen<\/a> #Liiga<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qAOzcw3VS7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kiekko-Espoo (@KiekkoEspoo) March 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Brzustewicz and George face off in the OHL\u2019s first round<\/p>\n

All five of the Kings\u2019 prospects playing in the OHL will be in the playoffs. The headline, though, will be the London Knights (Henry Brzustewicz<\/a>) and the Soo Greyhounds (Carter George<\/a>), featuring a King prospect versus a King prospect.<\/p>\n

The OHL regular season concludes tomorrow and one series will feature two Kings prospects battling against one another.<\/p>\n

Henry Brzustewicz (London Knights) vs Carter George (Soo Greyhounds).<\/p>\n

If Soo wins in regulation tomorrow, they get home ice as the 4th seed.#GoKingsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KUHlooDcoU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) March 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, one of them will be going home early.<\/p>\n

Jan Chovan<\/a> will look to lead the charge in an upset against the OHL\u2019s best regular-season team, the Brantford Bulldogs. Jared Woolley<\/a> will look to help lead the Kitchener Rangers on a deep playoff run, and so will Jimmy Lombardi\u2019s<\/a> Flint Firebirds.<\/p>\n

Locked and loaded for round one against the Owen Sound Attack \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n

Get your tickets now \u27a1\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/hOQIt48oSI<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dpK4FMI1yX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 x \u2013 Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) March 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

SUBMIT YOUR BRACKET NOW \u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n

The 2026 OHL Playoff Bracket Challenge is now live. Submit your bracket before it closes on March 30th at 11:59 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Link \ud83d\udd17: https:\/\/t.co\/kyjny050lo<\/a>#RTown<\/a> | #BattleBuilt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NRi4wZd9eO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) March 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The OHL playoffs start on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Cihar looking to lead WHL-Kelowna on a deep playoff run<\/p>\n

Vojt\u011bch \u010ciha\u0159<\/a> finished his WHL season with 31 points (12 G, 19 A) in 31 games. Kelowna is hosting the Memorial Cup this year, so \u010ciha\u0159 will look to lead the Kelowna Rockets on a deep playoff run. Game One of their first-round playoff series against the Kamloops Blazers is on Friday.<\/p>\n

A RIVALRY RENEWED.<\/p>\n

The @Kelowna_Rockets<\/a> and @blazerhockey<\/a> will meet in Round One of the 2026 #WHLPlayoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdd | https:\/\/t.co\/mPhOJUlhux<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vFiyJBVwKR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Four make the NCAA tournament<\/p>\n

The Kings have four prospects playing in the NCAA tournament. Hampton Slukynsky<\/a> (sophomore) will represent Western Michigan University, while Kristian Epperson<\/a> (freshman), Brendan McMorrow<\/a> (freshman), and James Reeder<\/a> (sophomore) represent Denver University.<\/p>\n

Both Western Michigan and Denver are in the same bracket, so if they both win their opening game, they will face off in the following game. Wouldn\u2019t that be something if that happens? Western Michigan faces Minnesota State while Denver opposes Cornell. Both games are on Friday at 11:30 AM PST (Western Michigan) and 3 PM PST (Denver)<\/p>\n

Another year, another No. 1 seed! See you in Loveland, Bronco fans! #BroncosReign<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rpebafZjqz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Denver and Cornell are set to renew their postseason rivalry in Loveland on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

4 p.m. MT | ESPN+https:\/\/t.co\/kOnjxgG4iI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured image credit: Bob Davies<\/p>\n

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