Avalanche Seek Redemption Against Kings in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Showdown
The Colorado Avalanche aim to achieve a feat not seen in a decade: winning the Stanley Cup after clinching the Presidents' Trophy. The last team to accomplish this was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. To pursue this goal, the Avalanche must first overcome the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. This season, the Avalanche dominated, finishing with 121 points and only 16 regulation losses. Key players include Nathan MacKinnon, who led the league with 53 goals, and Cale Makar, who tallied 79 points. Colorado's goaltending has also improved, with Scott Wedgewood posting a league-best 2.02 goals allowed per game. In contrast, the Kings secured 90 points, the lowest among playoff teams. Their path to victory hinges on a solid defensive strategy, having allowed the seventh-fewest goals in the league while scoring the fourth-fewest. The Kings struggled against the Avalanche this season, failing to earn a point in three encounters and being outscored 13-5. Coaching dynamics differ significantly between the two teams. Jared Bednar of the Avalanche is one of the NHL's longest-tenured coaches, while the Kings are under interim coach D.J. James, who led them to an 11-6-6 finish to secure a playoff spot. The Avalanche are heavy favorites in this series, with betting odds ranging from -450 to -600, while the Kings are underdogs at +340 to +450. Despite the potential for profits in betting on the Kings, Colorado's offensive and defensive prowess positions them strongly. Historically, the Presidents' Trophy has not guaranteed success, with the 2022-23 Boston Bruins being the only team to lose in the first round since 2012-13. The Kings can make a series of it if their defense can contain the top offense of the Avalanche, but they face challenges due to their own lack of scoring depth, with only Adrian Kempe surpassing 50 points this season.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-17