Avalanche and Kings Set for Thrilling Stanley Cup Playoffs Clash

Veteran Kings look to upset Stanley Cup favorite Avalanche in first-round series

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with the players and ice surface broken down into overlapping planes of color representing the uniforms of the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings.The Avalanche and Kings' veteran cores clash in a high-stakes first-round playoff series, with both teams vying for a chance at the Stanley Cup.Los Angeles Today

The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings are set to face off in the first round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche finished the 2025-26 season with the best record in the league and are led by two of the NHL's top players, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Kings, meanwhile, are making a final playoff push with their veteran core before a potential rebuild.

Why it matters

This matchup pits one of the Stanley Cup favorites against a veteran team looking to make one last run. The Avalanche are seeking their first championship since 2001, while the Kings are hoping to recapture the magic of their 2012 and 2014 title runs before a new era begins in Los Angeles.

The details

The Avalanche and Kings will face off in a best-of-seven first-round series, with the winner advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Colorado finished the regular season with a 56-18-8 record, while Los Angeles went 45-29-8. The Avalanche are led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, while the Kings rely on their veteran core of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick.

  • The series begins on April 15, 2026.
  • Game 1 is scheduled for April 15 in Colorado.
  • Game 2 will be played on April 17 in Colorado.
  • The series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 on April 19 and April 21, respectively.
  • If necessary, Games 5, 6, and 7 will be played on April 23, April 25, and April 27 in Colorado and Los Angeles.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

A superstar forward for the Colorado Avalanche and one of the best players in the NHL.

Cale Makar

A dynamic defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche and a leading Norris Trophy candidate.

Anze Kopitar

The veteran captain and top center for the Los Angeles Kings.

Drew Doughty

A veteran defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings.

Jonathan Quick

The longtime starting goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings and a two-time Stanley Cup winner.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a tough series, but we're ready for the challenge. Our guys have been through the battles before and know what it takes to win in the playoffs.”

— Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings Captain

“We've had a great regular season, but the real test starts now. We have to bring our 'A' game every night against a veteran team like the Kings.”

— Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche Forward

What’s next

The winner of the Avalanche-Kings series will face the winner of the Oilers-Flames series in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Avalanche and Kings features a clash of styles, with Colorado's high-powered offense taking on Los Angeles' experienced, defensive-minded roster. The series could come down to which team's stars - like MacKinnon, Makar, Kopitar, and Quick - can make the biggest impact.