The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings clash at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night in what shapes up as one of the most evenly matched contests of the early season.
With oddsmakers setting the Kings as slight -275 favorites at home and predictive models calling it a dead heat at 50-50, this Pacific Division battle could swing on the smallest margins.
Both teams enter looking to bounce back from disappointing losses, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between two clubs that combined for 97 wins last season.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche matchup, our predictive model gives the Avalanche a 62.5% chance of defeating the Kings.
Los Angeles Kings: 37.5% win probability
- Home ice disadvantage against high-tempo teams (Kings' defensive system struggles with Colorado's speed)
- Offensive inconsistency in high-scoring affairs (Kings often struggle to match pace with elite Western teams)
- Goaltending pressure in crucial moments (Kings' netminders face significant shot volume against Colorado's attack)
Colorado Avalanche: 62.5% win probability
- Strong playoff pedigree with recent Stanley Cup experience (2022 champions bring championship mentality)
- Elite offensive depth with proven scorers like MacKinnon and Rantanen (historically one of NHL's top scoring teams)
- Road performance advantage as Western Conference teams typically handle travel well (Colorado's altitude training provides conditioning edge)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts.
Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Kings vs. Avalanche Odds
These are the best NHL odds we found across major U.S. sportsbooks for this game.
Odds are based on the latest data at publication and are subject to real-time updates.
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Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche preview
The Kings return home to Crypto.com Arena looking to bounce back after a wild 6-4 loss to Edmonton, where their offense showed flashes but defensive lapses cost them dearly.
Colorado arrives in Los Angeles smarting from a 4-2 defeat against Dallas, managing just 2 goals on 27 shots in what was a frustrating offensive display for an Avalanche squad that ranked 6th in goals last season.
Scott Wedgewood gets the nod between the pipes for Colorado, bringing a solid .906 career save percentage but coming off that disappointing performance where the Avalanche failed to capitalize on three power play opportunities.
The Kings counter with veteran Darcy Kuemper, whose impressive .915 career save rate and 56.2% quality start percentage make him a reliable last line of defense when Los Angeles needs a strong goaltending performance.
Both teams struggled on special teams in their previous outings, with the Kings going scoreless on two power play chances while Colorado's league-leading power play unit went 0-for-3.
With the total set at a modest 5.5 to 6.5 depending on the book, this matchup could come down to which team's goaltender can steal a few extra saves in what projects as a tight, low-scoring affair.
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