Avalanche vs Kings Prediction 4/23/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Kings prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 23rd at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are up 2-0 in this series after they won the first two games by scores of 2-1 and 2-1 (OT). In game two, Colorado trailed late in the game, but they tied it with about four minutes left and won in overtime. The Avalanche recorded 36 shots on goal, won 46.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Landeskog and Roy, while Wedgewood stopped 24 out of 25 shots, which was a .960 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Colorado defeated the Kraken by a score of 2-0 and the Flames by a score of 3-1. The Avalanche have won five games in a row and they finished first in the Central standings with 121 points. Colorado scored 3.63 goals per game and they allowed 2.40 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon led Colorado with 53 goals and 74 assists, while Martin Necas added 38 goals and 62 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who was 31-6-6 with a 2.02 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this season. 

Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are down 0-2 in this series and they desperately need a win in this game. In game two, Los Angeles played great defense and took a 1-0 lead with seven minutes left, but they couldn’t hold the lead and lost in OT. The Kings recorded 25 shots on goal, won 53.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got their lone goal from Panarin, while Forsberg stopped 34 out of 36 shots, which was a .944 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Los Angeles lost to the Flames by a score of 3-1 and the Canucks by a score of 4-3. The Kings have lost four games in a row and they finished fourth in the Pacific standings with 90 points. Los Angeles scored 2.68 goals per game and they allowed 2.90 goals against per game, while also going 17.0% on the power play and 74.6% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe led LA with 36 goals and 37 assists, while Quinton Byfield added 24 goals and 25 assists. The projected starting goalie for LA is Anton Forsberg, who was 16-12-5 with a 2.57 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season. 

Why the Los Angeles Kings will win

• The Kings have won each of their last four home games.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites following a home win.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in six of the Kings’ last seven games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The Avalanche have lost the second period in four of their last five road games against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last eight road games.
• The Kings have lost each of their last four games.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 home games.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in five of their last six games as road favorites against the Kings.
• The Kings have lost the third period in four of their last five games as home underdogs.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Avalanche’s last 10 games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the Kings’ last seven night games at Crypto.com Arena against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last five games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last six home games against the Avalanche.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Artemi Panarin has scored a goal in five of the Kings’ last six games as underdogs.
• Adrian Kempe has recorded at least one assist in each of the Kings’ last four games against the Avalanche at Crypto.com Arena.
• Joel Edmundson has recorded 10 hits against the Avalanche this season – most against any opponent.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in each of the Avalanche’s last five road playoff games against Western Conference opponents.
• Cale Makar has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances at Crypto.com Arena.
• Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for multi-goal games (14) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Los Angeles Kings rank 28th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.96%).
• The Los Angeles Kings rank T7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.90).
• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.62%).
• The Colorado Avalanche are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.

Avalanche vs Kings Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup with a 2-0 lead in the series, but both games were extremely close and the Colorado offense has been stopped. The Avalanche were 29-7-5 on the road this year, while the Kings were 15-17-9 at home. Los Angeles is doing a great job on defense, but they have scored one goal in three straight games. I am guessing the Colorado offense will eventually break out, while I don’t know if LA has the ability to consistently break down the Avalanche defense. This is a steep price, but I am going to lay it with Colorado and take the moneyline.

David Racey's Pick: Avalanche ML