Breakaway on SI

Kings Have New Game-Day Tradition With Viral National Anthem

The Los Angeles Kings take a 2-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers following a viral National Anthem.
Nick Horwat|
Apr 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) salutes the crowd after game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) salutes the crowd after game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In this story:

Edmonton OilersLos Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have found themselves in an unlikely position, up 2-0 over the Edmonton Oilers in their opening-round playoff series. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs is the fourth straight year the Kings have opened the playoffs against the Oilers, but this is the first time they’ve gone up 2-0 in the series.

While this year’s Kings team is more improved than the previous year’s, there may be an added layer of momentum at home games.

Before puck drop of Game 1, the Kings invited the Harmonica class from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center in Los Angeles to perform the National Anthem.

It’s not your typical rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, but millions of hockey fans have seen the performance and you can't knock it. With no singer, the fans at the arena join in to provide the words, making for a great atmosphere.

Kings fans and hockey fans all over the internet rallied around the harmonica group as the Kings defeated the Oilers in one of the wildest games in recent playoff memory.

The Kings went up 4-0 on the Oilers, before blowing their lead and eventually rallying to win 6-5.

With a series lead and a ton of fanfare behind the viral harmonica group, the Kings invited them back to Crypto.com Arena for Game 2.

“Back by popular demand,” to Kings public address announcer said before introducing them to thunderous applause.

The harmonic group nailed another great performance and the Kings once again followed suit. It was a much less dramatic affair, but the Kings took a 2-0 series lead thanks to a 6-2 victory over the Oilers.

With two performances from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center leading to two straight wins, the Kings may have to keep bringing the group back as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Published
Nick Horwat
NICK HORWAT

Nick Horwat is a contributor with Breakaway On SI. He was previously a credentialed reporter for The Hockey News covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A Pittsburgh native, Nick graduated from Point Park University and started reporting on news and sports with KDKA Radio and 93.7 The Fan. After hosting a Penguins talk radio show in college, he morphed the show into a podcast. The Tip of the Ice-Burgh Podcast has been a leading Penguins podcast since 2019. Follow him on Twitter @NickHorwat41.

Home/News Feed Page