by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2026
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, April 23, 2026
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: TNT, HBO Max, truTV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Avalanche -162, Kings +136; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Avalanche -165, Kings +135; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Avalanche -165, Kings +135; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Colorado Avalanche: 55-16-11 (1st place, Central Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 35-27-20 (4th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Colorado Avalanche: 8-1-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings: 5-2-3 last 10
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Avalanche are entering the playoffs with 121 points, a 55-16-11 record overall, and they were 29-7-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Los Angeles Kings in their last game, winning that one at home 2-1 in overtime. Gabriel Landeskog and Nicolas Roy each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Devon Toews, Josh Manson, Martin Nečas, and Nazem Kadri each led the team in assists with 1 while Martin Nečas led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Scott Wedgewood was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 25 shots with 24 saves and a .960 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 302 goals this season averaging 3.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 203 goals against them allowing 2.5 goals per game.
The Kings are entering the playoffs with 90 points, a 35-27-20 record overall, and they were 15-17-9 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, losing that one on the road 2-1 in OT. Artemi Panarin scored 1 goal for them in that one. Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore each led the team in assists with 1 while Quinton Byfield led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Anton Forsberg was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 36 shots with 34 saves and a .944 save percentage. Their offense has scored 225 goals this season averaging 2.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 247 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
Avalanche vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Avalanche listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Avalanche have looked great in their games this season with their 55-16-11 record overall which had them right at the top of their division in the West with the best record in the entire NHL. They have been a great road team too with their 29-7-5 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Kings have looked good in their games this season with their 35-27-20 record overall which had them in the top half of their division in the West. They have looked terrible on home ice though with their 15-17-9 home record this season. This is game 3 of a 7-game series between the 1st seeded Avalanche in the Central and the 2nd Wild Card Kings from the Pacific for the 1st round of the NHL playoffs. The Avalanche are entering this series with a 2-0 series lead after winning game 2 by a score of 2-1. The Avalanche have had a bit of trouble in the first 2 games of this series. They won both games by scores of 2-1 and even needed OT in their last one, but they continue to find ways to get the job done as good teams usually do. They have been the best team in the NHL this season by far and they have been rolling lately too, now 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. The Kings haven't had the best season either, slipping into the last Wild Card spot late in the year, but they haven't really been a playoff team all season and still haven't looked like one in this series. They have done a good job to keep the first 2 games on the road close, but they have been hanging on for dear life in both of these games and they aren't going to be able to do that for a whole series. The Avalanche have looked like the better team in both games so far and eventually they are going to break open one of these games in a blow out win. The Kings have also been a better road team this season while the Avalanche haven't skipped a beat in their road games. The best way to place a bet here is on the Avalanche to win this game.
Avalanche Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, April 23, 2026 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Avalanche 6 Kings 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
Colorado Avalanche: 56-17 (+21.6 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%). 21-7 (+10.3 units) on the moneyline after 3 or more consecutive unders. 41-20 (+4.2 units) on the moneyline after a 3 game winning streak. 16-10 OVER after 3 or more consecutive unders.
Los Angeles Kings: 129-129 (-41.1 units) on the moneyline in all games. 29-49 (-12.5 units) on the moneyline as an underdog. 59-65 (-21.1 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite. 9-4 OVER in the first round of the playoffs.
Key Injuries
Colorado Avalanche: None.
Los Angeles Kings: K. Fiala (LW) Out For Season - Leg.
Notable Quotes
“Playoffs are going to be hard. It’s a really good team over there. They’re playing hard. We’re playing hard. It’s low scoring, but it’s fun hockey." - Nathan MacKinnon after their win against the LA Kings in the 2nd game of this series on Tuesday.
“Played two good games. We had every opportunity, got a lead with whatever to go. You have to be able to close it out.” - D.J. Smith after his team’s loss against the Avalanche in game 2 of this series on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Colorado Avalanche
LW Artturi Lehkonen
C Nathan MacKinnon
RW Martin Necas
LD Devon Toews
RD Cale Makar
G Scott Wedgewood
Los Angeles Kings
LW Artemi Panarin
C Anze Kopitar
RW Adrian Kempe
LD Mikey Anderson
RD Drew Doughty
G Anton Forsberg
Statistical Leaders
Colorado Avalanche
Points: Nathan MacKinnon (127)
Goals: Nathan MacKinnon (53)
Assists: Nathan MacKinnon (74)
GAA: Scott Wedgewood (2.02)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: Adrian Kempe (73)
Goals: Adrian Kempe (36)
Assists: Adrian Kempe (37)
GAA: Anton Forsberg (2.57)
Coaches:
Colorado Avalanche: Jared Bednar (10th season)
Los Angeles Kings: D.J. Smith (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
