Welcome to the NHL Predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Los Angeles Kings against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of Western Conference first-round playoff action. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers will continue this series throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up to the final game.
NHL Predictions with Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche
Series: Colorado Avalanche leads 1-0.
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 7:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
How to Watch: Canada: Sportsnet+, SN360, TVAS, TVAS+
United States: ESPN, ALT, FDSNSC
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
Credit Image: © Ringo Chiu via ZUMA Wire
The Avalanche look to leave Denver with a 2-0 series lead, while the Kings seek a road split in this Western Conference first-round series. Colorado won Game 1 by a score of 2-1. Despite the score, the Avalanche dominated the majority of play, possessing the puck for large stretches of the game and having more quality looks. The Kings played their style of game to a tee, but failed to convert on key chances.
Doughty came OH SO CLOSE to opening the scoring in this one 😫😫😫 pic.twitter.com/PZnmwNFqQl
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 19, 2026
The Kings Story
L.A. should not be too down on themselves, as they were able to hang tight with Colorado in Game 1. However, they need to be opportunistic and finish plays. Ultimately, their push came too late in Game 1, with Artemi Panarin getting the team on the board with just 2:22 left in the third. One thing they can build on is their physical play. After averaging just over 20 hits per game in the regular season, the Kings delivered 49 hits in Game 1. “We gotta be more physical, we gotta hit their D more. I expect that in the next game,” head coach D.J. Smith said postgame after Game 1.
The Avalanche Story
Colorado played virtually a perfect game in Game 1, dominating puck possession for most of the game. They showed that they were comfortable playing in a low-scoring, tight-checking game. If they could just get their power play, which went scoreless in four tries in the first game, going, they will be golden. Artturi Lehkonen and Logan O’Connor scored the two goals in Game 1, while their star Nathan MacKinnon recorded an assist.
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
For LA, Anton Forsberg should get the start again. He was excellent in Game 1 and gave L.A. every opportunity to come back. Forsberg has a 0-1 record, a 2.04 goals-against average, and a .938 save percentage in the playoffs.
For Colorado, we expect Scott Wedgewood to start in the net again. Wedgewood has had a Vezina Trophy-calibre season, and he recorded his first career playoff win in Game 1. Wedgewood has a 1-0 record, a 1.00 goals-against average, and a .960 save percentage in the playoffs.
Prediction and Best Bets
Colorado will be happy to play low-scoring games if they can keep up the consistent puck possession. L.A. needs to stick to their game plan and be opportunistic. We expect yet another hard-checking, physical, low-scoring game, with Colorado ultimately prevailing.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-1.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Kings, we will pick Artemi Panarin to score a goal. On the Avalanche side, expect Nathan MacKinnon to pot one as he often does.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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