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 Colorado Avalanche against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 3 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 Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings
Series: Colorado Avalanche leads 2-0.
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 7:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
How to Watch: Canada: Sportsnet+, SN360, SN, TVAS, TVAS+
United States: HBO Max, TNT, truTV, ALT, FDSNSC
Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Press Wire)
The Avalanche are in the driver’s seat, with a 2-0 series lead, but the Kings look to get back into the series at home. It was yet another tight-checking game in Game 2, with the Kings on top in the final minutes, only to lose the lead and lose in overtime, 2-1. Certainly, a common refrain this season for the Kings, who had 20 losses in overtime in the regular season. How will they approach Game 3, in a game where they desperately need to win?
The Kings Story
L.A. just does not have the horses to score goals at will, so this defensive style of hockey is the best way for them to succeed. They have played their style, but Colorado has been able to adapt to it. Anton Forsberg was excellent yet again in Game 2, stopping 34 of 36 shots against. Once again, Artemi Panarin was the only player who was able to score a goal. They will need to score more than a single goal to win games in the playoffs, obviously.
The Avalanche Story
Fans might have been nervous when the Kings opened the scoring with under seven minutes left in regulation. Luckily, the captain, Gabriel Landeskog, was able to come up big to tie it. Then, Nicolas Roy, a trade deadline acquisition, was the overtime hero in Game 2. There is no doubt that Colorado is the better team, talent-wise, but they have yet to be able to break the game open offensively. A mild area of concern, for sure. Defensively, they have limited the Kings’ shots to just 25 per game, which is impressive.
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 L.A., Anton Forsberg should get the start once again. He was again excellent in Game 2, giving L.A. every opportunity to win the game. Forsberg has a 0-2 record, a 1.90 goals-against average, and a .941 save percentage in the playoffs.
For Colorado, Scott Wedgewood will start. Wedgewood stopped 24 out of 25 shots in both Game 1 and Game 2. Wedgewood has a 2-0 record, a 0.94 goals-against average, and a .960 save percentage in the playoffs.
Prediction and Best Bets
Simply put, the Kings have to win this game. It’ll be yet another gutsy, low-scoring game in all likelihood, but this time, the home crowd will be behind them. Maybe they’ll bring the beloved harmonica group to give them a spark. With Kopitar’s retirement potentially just two games away, we will predict that the Kings will win a critical Game 3 and extend his season at least for another game.
Prediction: Kings win 2-1.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. On the Avalanche side, we will pick Brock Nelson to wire one home. For the Kings, we will pick Artemi Panarin to score a goal for a third consecutive game.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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