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 4 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 3-0.
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
How to Watch: Canada: Sportsnet+, SN360, SNP, SNW, TVAS2, TVAS+
United States: HBO Max, TNT, truTV, ALT, FDSNSC
Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
Colorado looks to close out Anze Kopitar‘s career, as well as Los Angeles’ season, tonight with a series sweep. L.A. has been in this situation before, as they were down 3-0 in the first-round series in 2014 to the San Jose Sharks. Not only did they come back in that series to win it, but they also went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. Colorado is also no stranger to having a 3-0 series lead, as they had this lead twice in their 2022 Stanley Cup run. In both instances, they advanced in four games.
The Kings Story
While the Kings were able to score more than a single goal in Game 3, they were not able to keep up with the Avalanche. The top six are the only players really contributing, as the only forwards with points are from the top two lines. One thing the Kings could consider doing is splitting up their talent throughout their lineup. The one strong point for the Kings is that they have been perfect on the penalty kill. They will need to continue to do that if they want to extend their season.
The Avalanche Story
Colorado has had a fine series so far, doing their job against a team they should be superior to. They finally broke through the L.A. defence a bit more with four goals in Game 3. Although Nathan MacKinnon has not scored a goal and has only recorded one point in three games, other players have picked up the slack. Artturi Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog each have scored two goals, and Nicolas Roy scored the big overtime winner in Game 2. The Avalanche have not scored on the power play in this series, going goalless in nine power play opportunities.
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 will need to play his best game of the series in order for the Kings to survive tonight. Forsberg has a 0-2 record, a 2.28 goals-against average, and a .922 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 3-0 record, a 1.28 goals-against average, and a .947 save percentage in the playoffs.
Prediction and Best Bets
All the Kings can do is take it one game at a time, but the Avalanche have shown that they have the killer instinct at times like these. It will probably be another tight game, but if the Avs get on the board first, they should be able to not look back. We predict that this will be Kopitar’s final NHL game, and Colorado will move on to the second round in a sweep.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. On the Avalanche side, we will pick MacKinnon to get his first goal of the series. For the Kings, we will pick Kopitar to get a goal in his potential final game.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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