🏒 Kings vs. Avalanche Game 1 Prediction & Odds: Today's NHL Playoff Picks & Odds (April 19)
Sunday's four-game NHL playoff slate starts with a Western Conference tilt between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. The Avs host as a heavy betting favorite, looking to improve to 4-0 against the Kings this season.
Colorado is a massive -275 betting favorite, while oddsmakers have set the total to 5.5 or 6.0. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, airing on TNT and truTV, while streaming on HBO Max.
My Kings vs. Avalanche Game 1 prediction includes a point spread pick, a total, and a correct score prediction at +1100 odds. I'm also heading to the player prop market for Avalanche forward, Martin Necas.
🏒 Kings vs. Avalanche picks & odds today: April 19
See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.
| 💰 Pick | ⚖️ Bet size (units) | 🧠 Why I bet this |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche -1.5 (-105 via BetMGM) | 1u → 0.95u | One-sentence angle |
| Under 6.0 (-115 via BetMGM) | 1u → 0.87u | One-sentence angle |
| Martin Necas O 0.5 assists (-110 via bet365) | 1u → 0.90u | One-sentence angle |
Total wagered: 3.0 units | Max profit: 2.72 units
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
🏆 Who will win Kings vs. Avalanche?
Oddsmakers and public bettors are all over the Avalanche to beat the Kings. It's hard to envision any other outcome, with Los Angeles ranked 29th in goals scored per game (2.7) and 28th in PP.
The Avalanche rank first in goals scored per game (3.6), shots on goal per game (33.7), and PK (84.6%) this season. Colorado swept the Kings SU and ATS 3-0 this season.
It's scary to take a side that the public is on heavily, but the Kings are outmatched in nearly every metric. I'm on the Avalanche to win by at least a two-goal margin.
Score prediction: Avalanche 4, Kings 1
💰 Kings vs. Avalanche prediction & best bet
Under 6.0 (-115)
We're going to watch two of the league's most profitable teams for goal total unders go head-to-head in this First Round playoff series. The Avalanche were 46-32-3 on the goal total under this season, while the Kings weren't far behind at 43-37-1.
Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to get the start in net for Colorado, while former Avs goaltender and Stanley Cup champion, Darcy Kuemper, will likely start for the Kings. Blackwood has been much better than his counterpart, boasting a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 36 starts.
The Kings' offense will encounter fierce resistance against a top defensive team like the Avalanche. Los Angeles has scored two or fewer goals in all three matchups against Colorado this season, while being held to one goal in two of their previous four outings.
Go to BetMGM to get the highest total at the best value and bet under 6.0 at -115 odds.
🔥 Best Kings vs. Avalanche player prop bet
Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists (-110)
Aside from Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado's most potent forward has been Martin Necas. The 27-year-old accrued 100 points in the regular season, including 38 goals.
Necas has been red-hot down the stretch for the Avalanche, even after locking up the top seed in the Western Conference. He's logged 1+ assists in three of his previous four starts, while recording four goals and two assists in three matchups against the Kings this season.
Skating on the first attack line and as part of the primary power-play unit affords Necas prime scoring opportunities. He's been elite against the Kings this year, so let's head back to BetMGM to place a wager on Necas to go over 0.5 assists at -110 odds.
🚀 Kings vs. Avalanche same-game parlay
I'm going to recommend a Kings vs. Avalanche same-game parlay that targets Martin Necas and the goal total. Goals may be at a premium in Game 1, with two of the league's top defensive teams squaring off. However, Necas' talent will yield at least one assist in a physical, low-scoring affair. I'm betting a half unit at BetMGM's +257 odds for under 6.0 and Necas to log an assist.
💵 Kings vs. Avalanche SGP picks
- Under 6.0 (-115)
- Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists (-110)
Best odds: +257 via BetMGM (0.5u -> 1.28u)
💵 My betting record for NHL picks
All NHL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since April 1.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 13-18-1 | +0.67 units ✅ | +2.4% ✅ |
| Game picks | 5-3 | +2.28 units ✅ | +28.5% ✅ |
| Player props | 3-5 | -2.70 units ❌ | -33.8% ❌ |
| Parlays | 2-6 | +2.63 units ✅ | +65.8% ✅ |
💡 How I'm betting Kings vs. Avalanche
Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.
The Kings are the biggest underdogs on Sunday's four-game slate, with the Avalanche nearly a -300 betting favorite on home ice in Game 1. While I'm on Colorado to cover the puck line at -1.5, I'm more confident in this matchup winding up with minimal goals.
Darcy Kuemper faces his former team and should be ready to roll after a tough closing stretch. He still sports a 2.78 GAA, while the Kings' offense has been a bottom-five unit during the 2025-26 regular season.
With Mackenzie Blackwood patrolling the crease for the Avalanche, I'm betting on under 6.0 total goals as my best bet in Game 1. I'm also on Martin Necas to record his 63rd assist, racking up four assists across his previous four starts.
📊 Live Kings vs. Avalanche odds
Colorado has become an even shorter betting favorite since lines opened for Game 1 of this Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoff series. The Avalanche have moved from -220 to -278 moneyline favorites, while the total has stayed flat at 5.5. This indicates we may not see much scoring from the Kings against the league's top-ranked defense, as Colorado has held teams to an impressive 2.40 goals per game rate.
📈 Kings vs. Avalanche betting trends
| Kings | Statistic | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| 35-27-20 | W-L record | 55-16-11 |
| 30-51 | ATS record | 41-40 |
| 37-43-1 | O/U record | 32-46-3 |
| 3-2 | Last 5 games | 4-1 |
🚑 Kings vs. Avalanche injuries
📺 How to watch Kings vs. Avalanche
- Date: Sunday, April 19
- Puck drop: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Ball Arena (Denver)
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Streaming: HBO Max
Related Articles
