The underdog Los Angeles Kings look to shock the hockey world and end their first-round playoff curse with a win over the Colorado Avalanche. Eddie Garcia and Chris Micieli preview this high-stakes NHL playoff showdown, breaking down whether the Avalanche’s Presidents’ Trophy momentum or the Kings’ resilience in tight games will prove decisive. Key insights include slowing down Avs stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Martin Nečas’ need to deliver, and the goaltending question marks for both squads with Scott Wedgewood and Anton Forsberg set to start. Discussion covers strengths and concerns around special teams, the impact of recent trades like Artemi Panarin and Nazem Kadri, and the pressure on coaches D.J. Smith and Jared Bednar to deliver results. Can the Kings’ late-season surge overcome Colorado’s star power? Don’t miss this Western Conference playoff matchup.
00:00 Series Preview & Storylines
Opening discussion of Kings vs. Avalanche matchup, both teams’ playoff storylines, and keys to the series.
14:09 Key Players & X-Factors
Deep dive into goaltending matchups, player spotlights, X-factors for both teams, and unsung heroes to watch.
25:06 Special Teams & Predictions
Analysis of power play and penalty kill, coaching situations, final thoughts, and series predictions.
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22 Comments
Are we screwed? Probably, but if this season has taught me anything it’s that we don’t give a damn about expectations 💀
Looking for any positives, I've seen the Kings beat the Oilers in 1981 and all their future HOF. They also beat the Red Wings in 2001 when they were heavy underdogs . Can they beat Colorado, yes, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Avalanche fan here. Anything can happen. Just don't mortgage your house to bet on an upset. Hopefully it is an entertaining series and no one is injured.
If Forseberg can stand on his head, like Quick used to do, Kings have a chance.
We are screwed lol
We’ve been competitive with every team besides Colorado, getting better against Dallas and thankfully we don’t play Calgary anymore..See ya Thursday
Sports are not scripted?
An airplane crash involving the Avs is the only way we pull the upset,although we would even have trouble beating their farm team..
If we keep forseberg in an kuemper on the bench we have a chance. Trevor Moore gonna be a important piece to this I have a feeling
Upset? Nope, unless there’s a major attitude failure on the part of the Avs.
You heard him. We have to shut down Necas
In the wisdom of Tony Soprano "fuhgeddaboudit"!
It’s over lol
My heart tells me Avs in 4, my brain tells me avs in 4. Can Kings possibly win one game, sure. It's hockey, anything is possible.
Number one offense versus the, well, the Kings? Come on. If the Kings win one game, have a parade
They nothing to loose, they play loose, try to stay out the penalty box, play hard, but smart each game
Kings can't win it imo, but the Avs fans thinking these guys will be a pushover series are hilariously delusional. I'm and Oilers fan, and the kings have had them on the ropes in probably 3/4 of our series, and imo were like a couple seconds away from beating them last year, and that's a b2b stanley cup contender. The kings play their best hockey in the playoffs, their style is suited to it.
Kings lost the last two games?
Unless LA brings up scrubs to knock a few star players out, they don’t have the goaltending to win. None of the Paciific teams do.
So tired of hearing 2012.. that don’t mean crap with this team
Im a kings fan and Avs in 1. That’s how stupid this Kings team is
The Kinks/Queens upsetting “The Lanche”? You must be kidding!
I’ll take the under in every game❤