The Avalanche and Kings have not squared off in the playoffs since 2001-02. This year, both teams are entering the postseason with distinct narratives—one filled with high expectations, the other with a sense of urgency.
The Avalanche clinched their playoff berth on March 20, 2026, boasting an impressive regular season record of 55-16-11. They dominated their division and are viewed as serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. In contrast, the Kings secured their postseason spot later, on April 13, with a record of 35-27-20.
As they prepare to face each other, the Kings carry a heavy weight—this is the final postseason for center Anze Kopitar, who plans to retire after this season. His teammates understand the stakes; Coach D.J. Smith stated, “We’re going to have to weather the storm.” The emotional undercurrent adds depth to their campaign.
On the other side, the Avalanche are riding a wave of momentum. They swept their regular season series against the Kings, winning all three matchups. Nathan MacKinnon was particularly lethal, racking up six points in those games. Yet, Brock Nelson remains focused: “Just continue to ramp it up,” he remarked about maintaining their intensity.
The best-of-seven series kicks off on April 19 at 3 p.m. ET and already sees the Avalanche as heavy favorites—at -292 on the money line for Game 1. The over/under for total goals scored is set at 5.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair.
But there are uncertainties looming over the Kings’ lineup; details remain unconfirmed regarding injured players who might impact their performance. Their record-setting 33 trips to overtime this season could suggest resilience—but can they withstand Colorado’s firepower?
