NHL Western Conference First Round Playoffs – Game 3
Faceoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
TV/Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS, Hulu
Series Context and Team Records
This is a best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series. The Colorado Avalanche, a top Western seed and perennial contender, hold a commanding 2-0 lead after dominating the first two games at Ball Arena. The Los Angeles Kings, a Pacific Division wild-card entrant, are fighting to avoid a sweep and must generate offense and defensive structure at home to stay alive.
Game 1 (April 19, Ball Arena): Avalanche 4, Kings 1
Game 2 (April 21, Ball Arena): Avalanche 3, Kings 2
2025-26 regular-season records:
Colorado Avalanche: 52-23-7, 111 points (Central Division champions, top-3 in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles Kings: 43-29-10, 96 points (Western Conference wild card)
Colorado posted one of the league’s strongest goal differentials (+48) and led in 5-on-5 expected goals. Los Angeles improved defensively but enters the postseason as clear underdogs against the Avalanche’s star power and depth.
Recent Team Forms
Avalanche: Colorado has been clinical and efficient through the first two games, controlling possession, generating high-danger chances, and capitalizing on special teams. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen have driven the offense, while the defense (led by Cale Makar) has limited Kings’ transition opportunities. Goaltending has been steady, and the Avs look locked in for a deep run.
Kings: Los Angeles has been competitive in stretches but has struggled with sustained pressure and finishing. They showed fight in Game 2 but ultimately fell short in the third period. The young forward group has moments of speed, yet defensive gaps and an inability to contain Colorado’s top line have been glaring. Home ice and the crowd at Crypto.com Arena offer their best chance to flip momentum.
Injury Report
Colorado Avalanche:
Valeri Nichushkin (F) – Day-to-day (upper body); did not play in Games 1-2 but practiced this week and is a game-time decision.
No other significant absences. The core roster remains fully intact, with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (or primary starter) healthy and rested.
Los Angeles Kings (blue-line depth tested):
Drew Doughty (D) – Out (lower body); missed the end of the regular season and has been ruled out for at least the first three games.
Sean Walker (D) – Questionable (upper body); limited in practice.
Forward depth is healthy, but the absence of Doughty’s veteran leadership and minutes on the back end creates matchup vulnerabilities against Colorado’s speed.
Key Player Matchups
Avalanche Top Line (Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen – Jonathan Drouin / Artturi Lehkonen) vs. Kings’ Defensive Pairs (without Doughty): MacKinnon’s speed and playmaking have been unguardable; Colorado’s stars must be contained early to prevent a blowout.
Kings’ Top Units (Anze Kopitar – Quinton Byfield – Adrian Kempe; Trevor Moore) vs. Avalanche Shutdown Defense (Devon Toews, Cale Makar): Kopitar remains a Selke-level force, but the Kings need secondary scoring from Byfield and Kempe to keep pace.
Special Teams: Colorado’s power play (strong conversion rate) vs. Los Angeles’ penalty kill. The Avalanche have already scored multiple power-play goals in the series; Kings must stay out of the box.
Goaltending: Colorado’s starter (Georgiev or tandem) vs. Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper or primary netminder. The Avalanche edge in goaltending stability and workload management is noticeable.
Series History
The Avalanche lead the all-time playoff series record against the Kings 5-2 (most recent meeting in 2022, Colorado won in 6 games en route to the Stanley Cup). In the 2025-26 regular season, Colorado went 3-1-0 against Los Angeles. Historical trends favor the more experienced Avalanche in high-stakes, physical Western Conference matchups, especially when holding a multi-game lead.
Betting Trends
Series games have trended slightly Under due to Colorado’s structured defense, though high-event moments from the Avalanche stars keep the Over in play.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche – 166
Los Angeles Kings 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026
