LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe had two goals, and the Los Angeles Kings moved into a playoff spot with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
Joel Armia and Trevor Moore also scored, Anton Forsberg made 24 saves, and the Kings’ third straight win put them one point ahead of the Nashville Predators for the second Western Conference wild card with a game in hand.
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Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott, right, tries to get a shot past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia, second from left, celebrates his goal with teammates as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo stands in goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vancouver Canucks center Aatu Räty, left, puts Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg sprays water on his face prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Joel Edmundson during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles came into the night already controlling its path to the postseason, and Nashville’s 4-1 loss at Utah on Thursday created breathing room.
Marcus Pettersson scored and Nikita Tolopilo made 22 saves for the Canucks, who have lost 10 of their past 11 games.
The Kings started strong for the second consecutive game, with Kempe opening the scoring after 1:29 by getting to the slot and burying Brandt Clarke’s centering pass. After Pettersson tied it late in the first, Armia needed just 1:31 to put Los Angeles back up.
Kempe netted his second goal with 28.2 seconds left in the middle period by redirecting Joel Edmundson’s slap shot for a 3-1 lead. Kempe has been the main offensive catalyst during the Kings’ five-game point streak, collecting seven goals and two assists in that span with three multigoal efforts.
The switch to Forsberg in net is also paying dividends, as he has won three straight starts while allowing four goals total.
The Kings had played four straight games decided in overtime or a shootout, setting an NHL single-season record for games going past regulation along the way, but Moore ensured there would be no chance of extra hockey with his goal midway through the third period.
Canucks: Visit San Jose on Saturday night.
Kings: Host Edmonton on Saturday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott, right, tries to get a shot past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia, second from left, celebrates his goal with teammates as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo stands in goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vancouver Canucks center Aatu Räty, left, puts Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg sprays water on his face prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Joel Edmundson during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PULA, Croatia (AP) — As the sun sets over the Adriatic Sea, Marijan Jakopovic prepares his boat and nets to sail out as he has done for the past 30 years. But the 55-year-old fisherman from Croatia says times have never been so tough for many in his line of work.
Rising prices of fuel driven by the war in Iran are taking their toll on Croatia’s fishing industry, adding to a myriad of existing problems, from limited stocks and fishing restrictions, to widespread imports of frozen seafood.
Key providers of fresh fish during Croatia’s summer tourism season, the fishermen are warning that if the ceasefire in Iran does not hold and fuel prices surge again, things could become unbearable.
“This is turning into an almost hopeless situation,” said Jakopovic, who is from the small village of Lanisce, in the northern Croatian peninsula of Istria.
Prices in Croatia of so-called blue diesel, fuel solely used by farmers and fishermen, have increased by around 70% in a month, from 0.80 euros ($0.94) per liter on March 8 to 1.36 euros ($1.59) per liter on April 7, according to official data.
Croatia’s government has temporarily capped the price rise but this did not fully avert the blow. Other countries in the region have been similarly affected despite introducing state subsidies or price limits.
Vedran Spehar, a senior official in Croatia’s Ministry of Economy, said this week on state-owned Croatian Radio that prices of blue diesel would have reached at least 2 euros ($2.34) per liter had it not been for government action, which also ensured there were no shortages.
A European Union member state since 2013, Croatia adopted the euro currency in 2023, a transition that coincided with price increases across many sectors. Previously, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine had pushed up energy and food prices even before the start of the Iran war.
Croatia currently has the highest inflation in the EU at 4.8% annually.
Jakopovic said accumulated costs have forced some fishermen to spend up to 70% of their earnings on fuel, depending on the type of boat they use. And, this is in addition to the cost of crews, maintenance and equipment, he pointed out.
The problem is not new.
Commercial fishing in Croatia has faced difficulties for years even as tourism along the country’s breathtaking coastline and islands exploded — last year alone, more than 20 million tourists visited the country.
This year, the price of fish at Croatian markets and in restaurants could go up.
Almira Raimovic is a vendor at the market in the northern town of Pula. She predicted that if fishermen raise the price of their catch to accommodate the fuel cost, this would affect both market and wholesale prices.
Raimovic herself used to fish but shifted to a more profitable option — she now takes tourists out for trips on what used to be her fishing boat. People will always buy fish in the Mediterranean countries, Raimovic said, but their habits might have to change.
“The focus will likely shift to cheaper fish, sardines and anchovies, which are still more affordable than other (fish),” she said. “Rising fuel prices will affect everyone, inflating the cost of living and of food across all sectors, not just fishing.”
Fishermen have already complained of shrinking stocks, seasonal bans on some kinds of fish, catch limits and protected sea zones designed to help preserve certain endangered species.
As a member of the EU, Croatia has adopted the bloc’s strict rules on sustainable fishing.
All this means that fishermen now have to sail further out and spend more time at sea, ramping up their fuel consumption. The vicious circle could drive many out of business as each sea trip now comes with too much uncertainty, said Jakopovic.
“We don’t know how much longer we will be able to keep working,” he said.
AP Writer Jovana Gec in Serbia contributed to this report.
A fisherman stands next to the catch after returning from fishing in the port of Liznjan, Croatia, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Fishing boats return to the port of Liznjan, Croatia, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Fishermen depart for fishing from the port of Plomin, Croatia, Monday, April 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Fishermen prepare to depart for fishing in the port of Plomin, Croatia, Monday, April 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Fishermen handle their catch after returning from fishing in the port of Liznjan, Croatia, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
