Colorado Avalanche to Face LA Kings in NHL Playoffs

Avalanche look to continue dominant regular season with deep postseason run

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:02am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings, with the players' movements and the teams' colors blending together in an abstract, geometric composition.The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings will meet in a high-stakes first-round playoff matchup, with both teams vying for a chance to advance in the quest for the Stanley Cup.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche, one of the NHL's top teams throughout the regular season, will face off against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Avalanche, led by their skilled players, coaching staff, and front office, are poised for a deep postseason run after a dominant 2025-26 campaign.

Why it matters

The Avalanche's regular season success has set them up as a top contender for the Stanley Cup. Their matchup with the Kings will be a tough test, as both teams look to advance in the playoffs and make a push for the championship.

The details

The Avalanche finished the regular season as one of the NHL's elite teams, posting an impressive record and securing a top seed in the playoffs. They will now face the Los Angeles Kings, who also had a strong season and earned a playoff berth. This first-round matchup promises to be an exciting and competitive series as both teams vie for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

  • The 2025-26 NHL regular season concluded on April 13, 2026.
  • The Avalanche and Kings will begin their first-round playoff series on April 18, 2026.

The players

Colorado Avalanche

An NHL team based in Denver, Colorado that had a dominant regular season and is now set to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Los Angeles Kings

An NHL team based in Los Angeles, California that also qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs after a strong regular season performance.

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What’s next

The Avalanche and Kings will play a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The takeaway

The Colorado Avalanche's impressive regular season has set them up as a top contender for the Stanley Cup, but they will face a tough challenge from the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. This matchup promises an exciting and competitive series as both teams look to make a deep postseason run.