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Avalanche vs. Kings prediction: Colorado favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/23/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Los Angeles Kings will square off with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2026 NHL Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, beginning at 10:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Avalanche as the most likely winner of the Avalanche vs. Kings game.
This article offers a closer look at Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Avs vs. Kings prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL Playoffs game between the Avalanche and Kings, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Avalanche a 59% chance of beating the Kings.
According to our model, the Kings (+1.5) have a 64% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 51% chance of going over.
Avalanche vs. Kings odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Avalanche | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+160) | +1.5 (-185) |
| Moneyline | -154 | +140 |
| Total | o5.5 (+102) | u5.5 (-102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Avalanche vs. Kings picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Kings +1.5 | -185 |
| Moneyline | Kings | +140 |
| Total | Over 5.5 | +102 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 5.5 total goals.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Avalanche vs. Kings player props
Who will score a goal in Avalanche vs. Kings?
According to our model, Adrian Kempe is most likely to score an anytime goal in Avalanche vs. Kings.
Our projections give Kempe a 32.9% chance of scoring a goal at Crypto.com Arena, while the star is a 7.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Martin Necas | 32.3% |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 30.7% |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 25.8% |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 23.4% |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 22.7% |
Los Angeles Kings
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adrian Kempe | 32.9% |
| Artemi Panarin | 32.0% |
| Quinton Byfield | 28.9% |
| Alex Laferriere | 26.1% |
| Trevor Moore | 20.6% |
First goal scorer predictions
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Martin Necas | 7.1% |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 6.1% |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 4.9% |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 4.7% |
| Cale Makar | 4.5% |
Los Angeles Kings
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adrian Kempe | 7.6% |
| Artemi Panarin | 6.9% |
| Quinton Byfield | 5.9% |
| Alex Laferriere | 5.1% |
| Trevor Moore | 3.6% |
Avs vs. Kings game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Kings and Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena
The Stanley Cup Playoffs (aka NHL Playoffs) is an elimination tournament in the NHL to decide the winner of the Stanley Cup.
Sixteen teams, including the Avalanche and Kings, made the 2026 NHL Playoffs, which includes four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.
Each round is contested as a best-of-seven series, with the first team to four wins moving on to the next round until a champion is crowned.
Conclusion
We predict the Avalanche, with a 59% win probability, will likely beat the Kings in Thursday's NHL matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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