The Kings, under interim coach D.J. Smith, aim to upset the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche in the NHL playoffs. The game takes place at Ball Arena in Denver on April 19, 2026.
The Colorado Avalanche are targeting their second Stanley Cup championship since the 2021-22 season. They finished the regular season with an impressive 121 points, earning them the best record in the league.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Kings secured a playoff spot with 90 points, placing them second in the Western Conference Wild Card. They last faced the Avalanche on March 2, losing that match 4-2.
D.J. Smith took over as interim coach after Jim Hiller was fired on March 1. In his first game, he will lead a team that has struggled against Colorado this season—recording a 0-3-0 mark against them.
Artemi Panarin has made an impact since joining Los Angeles, scoring 27 points (nine goals and 18 assists) in just 26 games. His addition has changed the dynamics of their lineup significantly.
Jared Bednar commented on Panarin’s influence: “They’re more dangerous offensively than they were before.” This sentiment reflects concerns for any team facing the Kings in these playoffs.
The Kings set an NHL record with 33 trips to overtime this season. D.J. Smith emphasized that managing Colorado’s offensive pressure will be crucial: “You have to manage when they really take over a game and limit that to shorter periods.”
Despite their struggles against Colorado, history favors teams taking a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series; they hold a strong all-time record of 10-5.
As both teams prepare for this critical playoff matchup, observers are keenly watching how D.J. Smith’s strategies will unfold against Jared Bednar’s well-rounded squad.
The outcome remains uncertain as both teams vie for victory in pursuit of the ultimate prize—the Stanley Cup.
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