Kings vs Avalanche Prediction 9/30/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Kings vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, September 30th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings were 35-27-20 last season and they finished with 90 points, which was fourth in the Pacific Division. The Kings were the last team in the Pacific to make the playoffs, but they were just five points behind the Golden Knights in first place. Los Angeles started the season with a 4-1 loss against the Avalanche and they were just 1-5 through six games. The Kings were awful in overtime last year, but they really took advantage of getting one point for an overtime loss. LA was swept in four games against the Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. The Kings scored 220 goals last year, which was 29th in the NHL, while they allowed 238 goals against, which was seventh. 

In the preseason, Los Angeles went 2-2-0, which was fifth in the Pacific standings. The Kings defeated the Ducks twice, but they lost to the Mammoth and Golden Knights. Los Angeles is led by Adrian Kempe, who had 36 goals and 37 assists last year, while Quinton Byfield added 24 goals and 25 assists. Darcy Kuemper is the projected starting goalie and he went 19-14-15 with a 2.78 goals against average and an .891 save percentage last season. 

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche went 55-16-11 last year and they finished with 121 points, which was first in the Central Division. Colorado had the most points in the NHL last year and they were nine points ahead of the Stars in second place in the Central. The Avalanche started the year with a 4-1 win over the Kings and they were 5-1 through six games. Colorado was elite for pretty much the entire regular season and only had a three game losing streak on two different occasions. The Avalanche swept the Kings in the first round, defeated the Wild in five games in the second round, and lost to the Golden Knights in four games to end the season. Colorado scored 298 goals last year, which was first in the NHL, while they allowed 197 goals against, which was also first. 

In the preseason, Colorado went 2-2-0, which was fourth in the Central standings. The Avalanche picked up wins over the Jets and Mammoth, while also losing once to the Jets and Mammoth. Colorado is led by Nathan MacKinnon, who had 53 goals and 74 assists, while Martin Necas added 38 goals and 62 assists. Mackenzie Blackwood is the projected starting goalie, who went 23-10-2 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .904 save percentage last year. 

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last 12 games as favorites against the Kings.
• The Kings have lost each of their last six games.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in nine of their last 11 games against the Kings.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five night games at Ball Arena.
• The Avalanche have won the second period in each of their last four games against the Kings at Ball Arena when trailing after the first period.

Why the Los Angeles Kings will win

• The Avalanche have lost each of their last four games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The underdogs have won five of the Avalanche’s last seven games.
• The road team has covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Kings and Avalanche.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites.

Total Goals Facts

• Five of the Avalanche’s last six night games against Pacific Division opponents at Ball Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Kings’ last three road games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last eight games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last three road games against Western Conference opponents.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Gabriel Landeskog has scored a goal in three of the Avalanche’s last four games as favorites.
• Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in five of the Avalanche’s last six home games against the Kings.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Artemi Panarin has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with his team as a road underdog against Central Division opponents.
• Alex Laferriere has recorded an assist in six of the Kings’ last seven road games.

Kings vs Avalanche Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup after a disappointing end to the 25-26 season, but they had a great regular season and will be at home here. The Avalanche are one of the most talented teams in the NHL and should be very good once again. Los Angeles did make the playoffs last year, but they were swept by this Colorado team and they struggled to score goals. The Kings will be a tough team to play against once again, but they don’t have the talent to score with Colorado. Take the Avs -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Avalanche -1.5