Avalanche Set to Face Off Against Kraken in NHL Playoffs

Colorado's top-seeded squad prepares for first-round matchup against Seattle

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:26am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken, with sharp, overlapping planes of color capturing the energy and intensity of the playoff matchup.The Avalanche and Kraken's first-round playoff clash promises an intense, high-stakes battle between two of the Western Conference's top teams.Seattle Today

The Colorado Avalanche, who finished the 2025-26 NHL regular season with the league's best record, are set to take on the Seattle Kraken in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche clinched the top seed in the Western Conference after a 2-0 home win over the Kraken in their final game of the season.

Why it matters

The Avalanche are looking to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 2001, and their dominant regular season performance has made them a favorite to go deep in the playoffs. However, the Kraken have emerged as a formidable opponent, making this a highly anticipated first-round matchup between two of the Western Conference's top teams.

The details

The Avalanche and Kraken will face off in a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Colorado finished the regular season with a 56-18-8 record, while Seattle posted a 48-26-8 mark. The two teams split their four regular season meetings, setting the stage for an exciting postseason clash.

  • The first game of the series will be played on April 22, 2026.
  • The series is scheduled to conclude by May 6, 2026.

The players

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are the top seed in the Western Conference after finishing the regular season with the NHL's best record.

Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are the Avalanche's first-round opponent, having qualified for the playoffs in just their third season of existence.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the challenge of facing the Kraken in the playoffs. They're a talented team, but we're confident in our ability to make a deep run and bring the Cup back to Colorado.”

— Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche Captain

“This is the kind of matchup that hockey fans live for. Two great teams going head-to-head with a lot on the line. It's going to be a battle, but we're ready for it.”

— Jared McCann, Kraken Forward

What’s next

The Avalanche and Kraken will play Game 1 of their first-round series on April 22, 2026 in Denver. The full playoff schedule has not yet been released, but the series is expected to conclude by May 6, 2026.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's dominant regular season has set the stage for a highly anticipated first-round playoff matchup against the upstart Seattle Kraken. With both teams boasting impressive rosters, this series has the potential to be one of the most exciting of the entire postseason.