The Colorado Avalanche will visit the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena for Game 3 of their NHL playoff series. The Avalanche lead the series 2-0 after securing consecutive one-goal victories in the first two games. This game is crucial for the Kings, who are looking to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.
Under the guidance of head coach Jared Bednar, the Avalanche have shown dominance in the playoffs so far, backed by a strong regular-season performance with a 55-27-0 record. They have been performing well on the road, going 29-12-0 during the regular season, and they will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum in this series.
Los Angeles, coached by interim head coach D.J. Smith, comes into this game trying to snap a two-game losing streak in the playoffs. The Kings had a challenging regular season with a 35-47-0 record, and their struggles at home (15-26-0) add pressure to their playoff performance. They will need a strong effort to protect their home ice and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Kings vs Avalanche At a Glance
- Series Standings: Colorado Avalanche lead 2-0 in a best-of-7 series.
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA.
- Game Timing: Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 PM.
- Broadcast Information: Available on TNT.
- Betting Odds: Avalanche favored with a MoneyLine of -160.
- Recent Performances: Avalanche won the last two games 2-1 against the Kings.
The Los Angeles Kings: Searching for Redemption on Home Ice
Avalanche Overview
The Colorado Avalanche continue their postseason campaign after narrowly defeating the Los Angeles Kings in the first two games of the series, each by a score of 2-1. The Avalanche have demonstrated their ability to capitalize on their scoring chances, which has been crucial in securing these victories. As they prepare for Game 3, maintaining their momentum will be key in putting the Kings on the brink of elimination.
With a balanced offensive approach, the Avalanche have been able to rely on contributions from various players. This depth has allowed them to adjust to the Kings’ defensive strategies and find success in the playoffs. Colorado’s ability to adapt and execute will be tested as they head into hostile territory at the Crypto.com Arena.
Key Players to Watch
The Avalanche’s top performers have been pivotal in their playoff success thus far. Nathan MacKinnon continues to lead the charge, showcasing his skills as one of the league’s elite forwards. His dynamic play and ability to drive the offense make him a constant threat on the ice.
On the defensive side, Cale Makar stands out with his exceptional playmaking ability and strong defensive presence. Makar’s contributions on both ends of the ice have been invaluable to Colorado’s success, and his performance will be closely watched as the series progresses.
Game Plan and Strategy
Colorado’s strategy centers around maintaining a strong defensive structure while leveraging their speed and skill to generate scoring opportunities. The Avalanche will aim to limit the Kings’ offensive chances by disrupting their plays and winning key battles. Special teams will also play a crucial role, with both teams having capitalized on power-play opportunities in the series.
As the series shifts to Los Angeles, the Avalanche will need to manage the Kings’ home-ice advantage and the energy of their fans. Keeping composure and sticking to their game plan will be essential in extending their series lead.
Betting Trends
- Last 5 Games: 3-2
- Last 10 Games: 7-3
- As Favorite: 5-1
- As Underdog: 2-2
- Over/Under Last 5: 3-2
- Over/Under Last 10: 6-4
Colorado Avalanche: Dominating the Ice in 2026
Avalanche Offensive Power
The Colorado Avalanche lead the NHL with an impressive 298 goals in the regular season, showcasing their offensive depth and ability to find the back of the net. Their playmaking skills are further highlighted by their league-best 522 assists, indicating a well-rounded team effort. Despite a mid-tier power play ranking, the Avalanche’s overall scoring prowess remains a significant threat to any opponent.
Key players like Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas have been instrumental in driving this offensive force. MacKinnon, with 127 points, and Necas, with 100 points, have consistently been reliable scoring options, making them players to watch in the postseason.
Defensive Stalwarts
While known for their offensive firepower, the Avalanche have also excelled defensively, allowing the fewest goals against during the regular season with only 184. This defensive capability is supported by their goaltending, with Scott Wedgewood delivering solid performances, including two postseason wins. The team’s defensive strategy is further aided by players like Cale Makar, who leads in blocks with 118.
Despite ranking lower in hits and blocks overall, the Avalanche’s ability to maintain defensive integrity lies in their systematic play and effective goaltending. These factors make them a formidable opponent on both ends of the ice.
Postseason Performance
The Avalanche have started their postseason campaign strong, securing two consecutive victories against the Los Angeles Kings. In these games, they’ve managed to keep the Kings to just one goal per game, highlighting their defensive prowess. Offensively, players like Gabriel Landeskog and Nicolas Roy have stepped up, each contributing a goal in the series.
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood has been a cornerstone in their playoff success, saving 48 out of 50 shots. His dependable performance in goal gives the Avalanche a strong foundation to build upon as they continue their playoff journey.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will face the Kings again on April 23 and April 26, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena. These away games will test their ability to maintain their current momentum in a challenging environment. With their recent performances, the Avalanche are well-positioned to continue their success in the postseason.
The team will need to rely on their top skaters and solid goaltending to overcome the pressures of playing on the road. The performance of key players will be crucial in extending their winning streak against a determined Kings lineup.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- SU Last 10: 5-5 (50.0%)
- SU All Games: 40-29 (58.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 35-21 (62.5%)
- SU as Underdog: 5-8 (38.5%)
- Puckline Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- Puckline Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 35-34 (50.7%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 32-24 (57.1%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 3-10 (23.1%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 5: 3-2 (60.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 4-6 (40.0%)
- O/U All Games: 35-34 (50.7%)
Kings vs Avalanche Prediction: Under 5.5
The Colorado Avalanche have shown a dominant defensive performance in the postseason, allowing only two goals in their two playoff games thus far. During the regular season, the Avalanche led the league with only 184 goals against, showcasing their defensive strength. With the Kings struggling to score in the postseason, managing just two goals in two games, this defensive advantage is likely to continue.
Looking at the head-to-head matchups this postseason, both games between these teams have gone under the total of 5.5 goals. The Avalanche’s ability to control the game tempo and the Kings’ offensive struggles suggest another low-scoring game is likely. Furthermore, both teams have yet to record a game over 5.5 goals in this series, reinforcing this trend.
The Kings’ regular season numbers support this under trend as well, with them ranking 25th in goals scored with 220. They have also been known for tighter games, often going under the total, as seen in their regular season record of 29-39 in over/under scenarios. With these defensive stats in mind, the under is a solid pick for this matchup.
Given the Avalanche’s defensive prowess and the Kings’ offensive struggles, this game is projected to remain under the total of 5.5 goals. A final score of Colorado Avalanche 3 – Los Angeles Kings 1 aligns with the recent performances and betting trends observed throughout the season and postseason.
- Kings vs Avalanche Prediction: Under 5.5
- Kings vs Avalanche Score: Avalanche 3 – Kings 1
