The Kings vs. Avalanche first-round series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with first puck drop set for 10:00 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Colorado is a -166 favorite on the Moneyline, and the game’s total is set at O/U 5.5 goals.
Below, I’ll provide a Kings vs. Avalanche Game 3 prediction and pick.
Kings vs. Avalanche Game 3 prediction, preview
The Kings have taken a full defensive approach in this series, which has resulted in low-event and, well, rather boring hockey. However, when Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar combine for just one point through two games, something is working. Los Angeles still finds itself in a 2-0 hole because it cannot produce any high-quality chances offensively. The club has scored just two goals in two games, with both of them coming on the power play. Anton Forsberg sports a stellar .941 SV% across two starts, though negative regression may be coming his way considering he has an expected goals against average of 7.07.
A legitimate concern for the Avalanche is their lack of power play production, as they have to yet to convert one this series and have just done so just once across their last 11 outings. The Kings’ defensive approach has worked because they’ve scored twice while on the man advantage and are trying to win games via special teams. Still, Colorado has found ways to produce at 5v5, ranking third in 5v5 Goals% and fourth in 5v5 Corsi%. Plus, the club has received elite goaltending from Scott Wedgewood, who sports a 0.94 GAA and .960 SV% and ranks fourth among postseason goaltenders in goals saved above expected.
Kings vs. Avalanche Game 3 pick, best bet
Best Bet: COL Avalanche Puck Line -1.5 (+160)
The Avalanche covered the Puck Line in all three regular-season meetings vs. the Kings and still rank top-3 in the majority of 5v5 metrics. It is also hard to imagine both MacKinnon and Makar being shut down three games in a row.
Strong Lean: LA Kings UNDER 2.5 Total Goals (-120)
The Kings averaged just 2.59 goals per game at home this season, which ranked third-to-last in the NHL, and are depending too heavily on special teams to score goals.
