Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 2 Preview, Picks & Odds for Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Even when outmatched on both sides of the ice, the Los Angeles Kings were still able to keep it competitive in game one of their series against Colorado, losing to the Avalanche 2-1. Their result in Expected Goals solidified their performance, finishing the contest with 2.79 Expected Goals For in All Situations.
The harsh reality for the Kings is that their current level of play on offense is not nearly enough to dethrone the betting favorites for the Stanley Cup, desperately needing to find some sort of way to break through their suffocating coverage. With Los Angeles lacking the versatility that is needed to effectively pressure the Avs net, expect the Kings to be held off the scoreboard and under their team total.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Analysis
After re-tooling their front line at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings have still severely underwhelmed on offense, ranking in the bottom half of the board in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. The lack of depth makes it hard for them to create space, fielding just five players who average more than 0.20 Expected Goals per game.
Even with their defense playing at a very high level, the Kings lack of production on offense forces them to play in highly volatile contests, lowering their chances of winning. Especially when matched up against a high powered front line as they are incapable of matching their pace of scoring, making them vulnerable to falling quickly behind on the scoreboard.
Heading into game two of their series against Colorado, expect the Kings to continue to struggle with creating high quality Shots on Goal, facing off against a back line who thrives in coverage per their top-5 mark in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. With Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe receiving little to no support from their linemates, the Avs can shade their coverage towards the Kings playmakers, daring one of their secondary scorers to beat them.
By consistently smothering their shot attempts, Scott Wedgewood will be able to put together another dominant performance after holding the Kings to just one goal in his previous appearance. Even if the Avs give MacKenzie Blackwood the start in net instead, there is a minimal drop off in production when comparing the two with both goalies sitting in the top-10 in average Goals Against per game.
Barring a busted play in transition, expect the Kings to continue to struggle to pressure the net, leaving them prone to prolonged scoring lulls which will improve the likelihood they are held under their team total. If their total drops down to 1.5, then pass on this market.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Best Bet, Pick & Prediction
Best Bet: Kings Team Total Under 2.5 (-145)
Score Prediction: Avalanche 4, Kings 2
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Game Odds
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Game Information
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN
Location: Denver, Colorado
Venue: Ball Arena – 6.4 goals per game; 18-22-2 O/U
Series Score: Avalanche 1-0
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Resources
- NHL Playoff Odds
- NHL Game Odds
- NHL Daily Betting Trends
- NBA Starting Goalies
- Stanley Cup Picks
- Conn Smythe Picks
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche Key Players
Los Angeles Kings
- Artemi Panarin – Last Game: (1 Goal, 0 Assists, 2 Shots on Goal)
- Adrian Kempe – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 2 Shots on Goal)
- Anton Forsberg – Last Game: (2 Goals Against, 28 Saves)
Colorado Avalanche
- Nathan MacKinnon – Last Game: (0 Goals, 1 Assist, 3 Shots on Goal)
- Martin Necas – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 2 Shots on Goal)
- Scott Wedgewood – Last Game: (1 Goal Against, 24 Saves)
Photo Credit: AP/Jack Dempsey
