Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Playoff Prediction - April 23, 2026
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived, and the Colorado Avalanche are set to face the Los Angeles Kings on April 23, 2026, in what promises to be a tightly contested battle. Both teams enter this matchup healthy and rested, setting the stage for a playoff series where depth, discipline, and goaltending will prove decisive. In the playoffs, small margins separate winners from eliminated teams—and this Avalanche vs Kings prediction hinges on which team can impose its will during the most pressure-packed moments of the season.
Team Form & Recent Performance
The Colorado Avalanche arrive as the stronger team in terms of recent momentum. Over their last five games, Colorado has won all five, building confidence and chemistry heading into the postseason. That sustained success suggests a team firing on all cylinders and ready for the grind of playoff hockey.
The Los Angeles Kings, meanwhile, have cooled considerably. In their last five games, the Kings have managed just one win, a concerning trend as they enter a best-of-7 series against one of the Western Conference's most dangerous opponents. Playoff hockey punishes inconsistency, and LA will need to flip a switch immediately to compete with Colorado's hot hand.
Both teams enter this game with one day of rest on a normal schedule—no back-to-back complications for either side. This means fatigue won't be a differentiating factor; instead, pure execution and tactical adjustments will dominate the narrative.
Advanced Stats Comparison
The underlying analytics strongly favor Colorado. The Avalanche boast a 56.2% Corsi (CF%), indicating they've controlled play and possessed the puck at elite levels. More importantly, their 57.13% expected goals share (xGF%) reveals they're generating high-quality offensive chances while limiting dangerous opportunities for opponents.
Colorado's 54.23% high-danger chances for (HDCF%) further underscores their ability to create chances from prime scoring areas—precisely the sort of performance that wins playoff games.
The Kings' analytics, while respectable, fall short. Los Angeles shows a 50.57% Corsi, a 54.73% xGF%, and a 53.17% HDCF%. These numbers suggest LA will need to rely on excellent goaltending and defensive discipline to keep pace. In the playoffs, when teams play tighter and shots become more meaningful, possession and expected goal metrics carry even greater weight.
Goalie Matchup
The starting goaltenders for this game have not yet been confirmed. Goaltending is paramount in playoff hockey—historically, the team with the superior netminder often advances, particularly in tight series. Both Colorado and Los Angeles will lean heavily on their respective starters, making this matchup a critical subplot. Once starting goalies are confirmed, that dimension could tighten or widen the edge in this series.
Prediction
According to WP Hockey Predictor's advanced algorithm, the Colorado Avalanche win probability stands at 59.9%, while the Los Angeles Kings sit at 40.1%. The WP Pick: Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado's edge rests on three pillars: superior possession metrics, better expected goal generation, and a five-game winning streak that demonstrates hot goaltending and timely offense. While LA's recent slump is concerning, the Kings remain a resilient playoff opponent capable of stealing games—which is why Colorado's edge isn't overwhelming.
For an Avalanche Kings pick at the player level, Nathan MacKinnon represents outstanding value as an anytime goalscorer in what figures to be a low-scoring playoff affair.
Want to dive deeper into the analytics? Run your own prediction using WP Hockey Predictor's calculator to test different scenarios.
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.