Avalanche vs. Kings: Game 1 Predictions and Best Bets for 2026 NHL Playoffs

Avalanche vs. Kings: Game 1 Predictions and Best Bets for 2026 NHL Playoffs

The 2026 NHL playoffs kick off with a thrilling Game 1 showdown between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. The Avalanche, who dominated the Central Division with a record of 55-16-11, face off against the Kings, who secured the second wild-card spot in the West with a 35-27-20 record. Starting at 3 p.m. ET, Colorado enters as a -279 favorite (bet $279 to win $100), while the over/under is set at 5.5 goals. Before placing any bets, it's essential to consider predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has proven profitable this season. The SportsLine model simulates each NHL game 10,000 times and has returned a +550 profit on top-rated money-line picks. With these simulations, the model has released its insights and predictions for the Avalanche vs. Kings matchup, highlighting key odds and trends: Avalanche money line: -279 Kings money line: +223 Over/Under: 5.5 goals Puck line: Avalanche -1.5 (-110) The model predicts the total will go Over 5.5 goals, with both teams meeting three times this season, resulting in an Over, an Under, and a push. Notably, the Avalanche lead the NHL in scoring with an average of 3.63 goals per game and have the most assists at 522. Key players to watch include Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Brock Nelson for Colorado, while Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin are expected to shine for the Kings. Overall, the model anticipates a combined total of six goals, hitting the Over 54% of the time. For those looking to make informed betting decisions, the model identifies a valuable side of the money line. Further details on the picks can be accessed through SportsLine.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-19