The Kings and Avalanche have not squared off in the playoffs since the 2001-02 season, making this upcoming series particularly exciting for fans. On March 20, 2026, the Avalanche clinched their playoff berth with an impressive record of 55-16-11. Meanwhile, the Kings secured their spot on April 13, 2026, finishing with a record of 35-27-20.
As both teams gear up for their best-of-seven series, anticipation is building. The first game will take place on April 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET. The Avalanche enter as heavy favorites with a money line of -292 against the Kings’ +234.
In the regular season, the Avalanche dominated their matchups against the Kings, winning all three games. Nathan MacKinnon stood out during those encounters, scoring six points against Los Angeles. Yet, Kings coach D.J. Smith remains optimistic: “We’re going to have to weather the storm,” he said, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
This series holds additional significance for the Kings as it marks the final postseason for center Anze Kopitar. Reflecting on his career, Kopitar shared that “it didn’t really hit yet, and it won’t until it’s done then.” His leadership will be crucial as they face a formidable opponent.
Despite their struggles against Colorado this season, the Kings had been riding high with an eight-game point streak before a recent loss to Calgary. Their resilience has been evident throughout the year—33 trips to overtime set an NHL record.
As fans prepare for Game 1, observers are eager to see how this historic matchup unfolds. The over/under for total goals scored in Game 1 is set at 5.5, indicating expectations for an exciting contest.
Still, uncertainties linger regarding the status of injured players on Los Angeles’ roster. Details remain unconfirmed as both teams finalize their lineups.
As this series kicks off, excitement fills the air in both cities. The Kings vs Avalanche rivalry is set to reignite in front of passionate fans eager to witness every moment of this pivotal playoff battle.
