Avalanche Favored in Playoff Clash with Kings

Colorado's depth and star power expected to overwhelm Los Angeles in first-round series

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey playoff matchup, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and action on the ice.The Avalanche's depth and star power are expected to overwhelm the Kings in their first-round playoff clash.Los Angeles Today

The Colorado Avalanche, the best team in the NHL during the regular season, are heavily favored to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Avalanche boast a dominant offense led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, as well as strong depth throughout the lineup, while the Kings have struggled to keep up with the league's elite teams in recent postseasons.

Why it matters

This series represents a stark contrast between a perennial contender in the Avalanche and a Kings team that has consistently fallen short in the playoffs. A quick exit for Los Angeles would continue a troubling trend, while a deep run by Colorado would solidify their status as a top Stanley Cup favorite.

The details

The Avalanche's plus-80 Net Rating, a combination of elite offense and strong defense, dwarfs the Kings' plus-18 mark. Colorado dominates possession and generates far more high-danger scoring chances, while Los Angeles has been unable to keep up offensively. The Avalanche also have the edge in goal, with either Anton Forsberg or Darcy Kuemper likely to outperform the Kings' netminders.

  • The Avalanche and Kings will begin their first-round playoff series on April 17, 2026.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche's superstar center and one of the NHL's most dominant players, expected to lead Colorado's offensive onslaught.

Cale Makar

The Avalanche's elite defenseman and reigning Norris Trophy winner, anchoring Colorado's strong blue line.

Anze Kopitar

The veteran Kings center and future Hall of Famer, who will need to turn back the clock to give Los Angeles a chance in the series.

Anton Forsberg

The Kings' presumed starting goaltender, who will need to play at an exceptional level to keep his team in the series.

Gabriel Landeskog

The Avalanche's captain, who will look to stay healthy and provide a spark after missing time due to injuries this season.

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What they’re saying

“Anything can happen in the playoffs, but the Avalanche are a force and are expected to make short work of the Kings.”

— Dom Luszczyszyn, Author

“We've seen worse netminders than Anton Forsberg go into super-saiyan mode and steal a few games from a superior opponent.”

— Dom Luszczyszyn, Author

What’s next

If the Avalanche advance as expected, they will face the winner of the series between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.

The takeaway

This series highlights the vast gulf between the NHL's elite and the teams that barely squeaked into the playoffs. While the Kings have shown the ability to be competitive in the past, the Avalanche's combination of star power, depth, and strong goaltending makes them overwhelming favorites to quickly dispatch Los Angeles and continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.