Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Tips, Stat Pack & Betting Predictions
Colorado and Los Angeles meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2002. The Avalanche won both previous series, each going seven games, and were crowned Stanley Cup Champions in 2001.
Colorado enter as the No.1 seed in the Western Conference with the best record in the NHL this season. Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth for the fifth consecutive season, finishing third in the Pacific Division.
Here on Free Bets we look at game one, and preview the series as a whole, with a stat breakdown and some betting tips at the bottom of this preview.
Regular Season Series: Colorado won all three meetings
- Oct 7, 2025 — Colorado 4–1 Los Angeles
- Dec 29, 2025 — Colorado 5–2 Los Angeles
- Mar 2, 2026 — Colorado 4–2 Los Angeles
Team Overview — Regular Season Stats
Colorado Avalanche
- Record: 55-16-11 (121 pts) — 1st in NHL
- Goals For: 298 (3.63 per game) — 1st in NHL
- Goals Against: 197 (2.40 per game) — 1st in NHL
- Power Play %: 17.1%
- Penalty Kill %: 84.6%
Los Angeles Kings
- Record: 35-27-20 (90 pts) — 3rd in Pacific Division
- Goals For: 220 (2.68 per game) — 25th in NHL
- Goals Against: 238 (2.91 per game)
- Power Play %: 17.0%
- Penalty Kill %: 74.6% — 30th in NHL
- Note: The Kings set an NHL single-season record with 31 overtime appearances — they are a team that consistently plays tight, close games.
Recent Form — Last 5 Regular Season Games
Key Players — Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon | Centre
GP: 80 | G: 53 | A: 74 | PTS: 127 | +/-: +57 | PP Goals: 11 | Shots: 350 | TOI: 22:16
One of the finest individual seasons in recent NHL history, MacKinnon leads the league in scoring. He is the central figure in everything Colorado do offensively and is the most dangerous player in this series.
MacKinnon scored in all three regular season meetings against Los Angeles.
Martin Necas | Right Wing
GP: 78 | G: 38 | A: 62 | PTS: 100 | +/-: +47 | PP Goals: 9 | Shots: 206 | S%: 18.4% | TOI: 21:30
A career-defining season for the Czech forward. Necas provides elite secondary scoring and has been outstanding at even strength and on the power play alongside MacKinnon.
Two 100-point scorers on the same team is a significant advantage.
Cale Makar | Defence
GP: 75 | G: 20 | A: 59 | PTS: 79 | +/-: +32 | PP Goals: 4 | Shots: 199 | TOI: 24:51
Widely regarded as the best defenceman in the game.
Makar's ice time and offensive production from the back end gives Colorado a structural advantage that most opponents simply cannot match.
Key Players — Los Angeles Kings
Artemi Panarin | Left Wing
GP: 78 | G: 28 | A: 56 | PTS: 84 | PP Goals: 4 | Shots: 224 | TOI: 20:51
Acquired from the New York Rangers during the season, Panarin is the Kings' most dangerous offensive weapon.
He signed a two-year extension upon arrival in Los Angeles and brings elite playmaking ability to a team that previously lacked a true top-line driver.
Adrian Kempe | Right Wing
GP: 81 | G: 36 | A: 37 | PTS: 73 | +/-: +14 | PP Goals: 4 | Shots: 226 | S%: 15.9% | TOI: 19:18
The Kings' most consistent performer throughout the regular season.
Kempe is a physical, high-volume scorer who leads Los Angeles in goals and brings playoff experience to the team's top line.
Quinton Byfield | Right Wing
GP: 79 | G: 24 | A: 25 | PTS: 49 | +/-: -2 | PP Goals: 4 | Shots: 180 | S%: 13.3% | TOI: 20:01
Still only 23, Byfield is considered the long-term cornerstone of this franchise.
He is a powerful centre who can make an impact in both directions and will be a key figure if the Kings are to trouble Colorado.
Goaltenders
Colorado — Scott Wedgewood
GP: 45 | W-L-OT: 31-6-6 | GAA: 2.02 | SV%: .921
Wedgewood has been one of the best stories in the NHL this season, a dominant number-one starter posting elite numbers behind an excellent defensive team.
His .921 SV% and 2.02 GAA make him one of the most reliable goaltenders in the league heading into the playoffs.
Los Angeles — Anton Forsberg
GP: 36 | W-L-OT: 16-12-5 | GAA: 2.57 | SV%: .910
Forsberg is expected to start Game 1 ahead of Darcy Kuemper (19-14-15, .891 SV%). While Kuemper started more games across the full season, Forsberg has been the hotter goaltender down the stretch and holds significantly better numbers.
He will need to be exceptional against a Colorado offence averaging 3.63 goals per game.
Avalanche vs Kings Betting Tips
Tip 1 — Colorado Avalanche to Win Game 1
Colorado are the stronger team in almost every category, goals scored, goals conceded, penalty kill, home record, and head-to-head.
They won all three regular season meetings against Los Angeles and arrive on the back of four wins in their last five games.
Playing at home in front of their crowd in Game 1 of the playoffs, the Avalanche should be considered clear favourites.
Tip 2 — Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal Scorer
MacKinnon scored 53 goals in the regular season and registered points in all three meetings against Los Angeles this year.
He is the best forward in the NHL right now and at home in a playoff environment his motivation will be at its highest.
With the Kings ranking 30th in penalty kill, any power play opportunity is an additional route to goal for MacKinnon.
Tip 3 — Game Total: Over
Colorado averaged 3.63 goals per game, the highest in the NHL, and arrive in outstanding offensive form. Even accounting for Forsberg's .910 SV%, the Avalanche are capable of putting up three or more goals on most nights.
If the total is set around 5.5, the over deserves serious consideration based on Colorado's offensive output alone.
Tip 4 — Colorado to Win the Series in 5 Games or Fewer
The Kings are resilient, their record of 31 overtime games shows they keep matches tight. However, the gulf in class between these two sides is considerable.
Colorado swept the regular season series 3–0 and are playing their best hockey of the year.
Expect Los Angeles to take at least one game, particularly at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, but a Colorado series victory in five games or fewer is the logical outcome based on the numbers.
