Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Game 3 Preview, Picks & Odds for Thursday, April 23, 2026

By Kody Malstrom | Apr 22, 2026, 7:33pm

Just when it looked like the Los Angeles Kings were going to generate a massive upset, the Colorado Avalanche snatched away their lead and solidified their win in overtime. Even though the Kings have been able to break through the Avs suffocating coverage, they must find a way to turn their shot attempts into goals if they want to avoid falling back into an elimination game.

Especially with the Avs front line firing on all cylinders, finishing game two with nearly four Expected Goals in their 2-1 win. If positive regression swings towards their way, then the Kings hopes of matching their output will plummet, resulting in an early exit in the first round of the playoffs.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Analysis

Since the start of the regular season, the Avs odds of winning the Stanley Cup have skyrocketed, comfortably leading the field for the top spot on the oddsboard. Their resurgence on defense has helped turn them into a well rounded contender, ranking near the top of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 2.82 Expected Goals Against per game.

To complement their defense, the Avs front line have been in a tier of their own, leading the league in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. Their depth has played a major role in their ability to pressure the net, fielding eight players who average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game.

Every bit of their production on offense has been on full display against the Kings, generating 3.9 Expected Goals in their win in game two. Even with the Kings residing in the top half of the board in Expected Goals Against, the Avs versatility stretches them out thin, opening up wider gaps in their coverage which drastically improves the quality of their Shots on Goal.

On the other end, negative regression looms large over the Kings front line who lack the playmakers that are needed to apply pressure to the Avs defense. With Kevin Fiala on the sideline, the Kings have struggled to play at a high level, ranking well below league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

With clear advantages at both sides of the ice, expect the Avs to create a scoring pace too fast for the Kings to keep up with, making it easier for them to pull away on the scoreboard and cover the puck line. With wear and tear steadily creeping in, the Kings sluggish movements will be detrimental in their efforts of slowing down the Avs, making it easier for them to pressure their net for the full duration of the contest.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

Best Bet: Avs -1.5 (+165)
Score Prediction: Avalanche 4, Kings 2

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Game Information

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Network: TNT
Location: Los Angeles, California
Venue: Cyrpto.com Arena – 5.8 goals per game; 19-20-2 O/U
Series Score: Avalanche 2-0

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Resources

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Key Players

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 4 Shots on Goal)-
Martin Necas – Last Game: (0 Goals, 1 Assists, 5 Shots on Goal)
Scott Wedgewood – Last Game: (1 Goals Against, 24 Saves)

Los Angeles Kings

Artemi Panarin – Last Game: (1 Goal, 0 Assists, 1 Shots on Goal)
Adrian Kempe – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 1 Shots on Goal)
Anton Forsberg – Last Game: (2 Goals Against, 34 Saves)

Photo Credit: AP/Jack Dempsey

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.