Avalanche Defeat Kings in Playoff Rematch

Colorado's stifling defense and veteran leadership prove too much for Los Angeles in first-round series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a hockey playoff series, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the competing teams.The Avalanche's dynamic offense and stifling defense collide with the Kings' veteran leadership in a high-stakes first-round playoff clash.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings will renew their long-dormant playoff rivalry in the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Led by the dynamic duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche are favored to defeat the Kings, who are led by longtime captain Anze Kopitar in his final NHL postseason.

Why it matters

This series marks the first time the Avalanche and Kings have met in the playoffs since 2002, when Colorado prevailed in a hard-fought seven-game series. The Avalanche are seeking their first deep playoff run since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, while the Kings are looking to advance past the first round for the first time since their championship season in 2014.

The details

The Avalanche's stifling defense and league-leading goaltending duo of MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, who won the Jennings Trophy, are expected to be the difference-makers against a Kings offense that ranked 29th in the NHL this season. Colorado's explosive offense, led by Rocket Richard Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon, will also pose major challenges for Los Angeles' struggling penalty kill.

  • The series is set to begin on Sunday, April 20, 2026 in Denver.
  • This will mark the first Avalanche-Kings playoff meeting since 2002.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche's superstar center and one of the top three players in the NHL, MacKinnon led the league with 53 goals this season.

Cale Makar

The dynamic defenseman is Colorado's other offensive catalyst, forming a formidable duo with MacKinnon.

Anze Kopitar

The longtime Kings captain and franchise scoring leader is set to retire after this postseason run, his last chance at a third Stanley Cup championship.

MacKenzie Blackwood

The Avalanche's starting goaltender, who along with Scott Wedgewood, won the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed this season.

Jared Bednar

The Avalanche's head coach, who credited the team's improved defense and goaltending as keys to their Stanley Cup aspirations.

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What they’re saying

“Improving on the defensive side of it, we've become a stingier team and harder to play against, is goal No. 1. So, that one means a lot.”

— Jared Bednar, Avalanche Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to the Western Conference semifinals to face the winner of the Oilers-Flames matchup.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between the Avalanche and Kings represents a clash of two eras, with Colorado's young, high-powered offense facing off against the veteran leadership and experience of Anze Kopitar and the Kings. The Avalanche's defensive improvements and goaltending prowess should prove too much for Los Angeles to overcome, setting the stage for Colorado to make a deep playoff run.