Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Picks, Prediction and Odds For April 26 2026
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Game 4 of this Western Conference first-round series shifts to Crypto.com Arena on Sunday with the Los Angeles Kings on the brink of elimination and the Colorado Avalanche eyeing a sweep. The market is pricing this in heavily, but the closeout dynamic and Los Angeles' defensive shell create a more interesting betting board than the moneyline suggests, and we've broken it all down below alongside our latest NHL picks for the rest of the playoff slate.
Quick Picks and Prediction
- Puck Line Pick: Los Angeles Kings +1.5
- Total Pick: Under 5.5 -102
- Projected Final Score: Colorado 3, Los Angeles 2
Odds and Line Movement
The line on Colorado has tightened slightly into game day, with the Avalanche moneyline shortening from -155 to -170 and the Kings drifting from +130 out to +142. The total has remained pinned at 5.5, with the Under getting cleaner juice in the most recent update. Below is the full opening, current, and movement breakdown for Game 4.
Opening Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | -155 | O 5.5 (-118) |
| Los Angeles | +130 | U 5.5 (-102) |
Current Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | -170 | O 5.5 (-118) |
| Los Angeles | +142 | U 5.5 (-102) |
Line Movement - Puck Line
| Date | Time | Colorado | Los Angeles | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/24 | 12:48:36 AM | -170 | +142 | — |
| 04/24 | 12:39:06 AM | -155 | +130 | — |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/24 | 12:39:06 AM | 5.5 -118 | 5.5 -102 | — |
Avalanche vs Kings Key Matchups and Handicap
Colorado enters Game 4 in full control, leading Los Angeles 3-0 in the series after wins of 2-1, 2-1 in overtime, and 4-2, and the Avalanche have earned that edge with the profile of a true Stanley Cup contender: a 55-16-11 regular-season record, 3.63 goals per game, only 2.40 goals allowed per game, and a massive star advantage led by Nathan MacKinnon's 127-point season and Cale Makar's game-changing presence from the blue line.
Los Angeles has been competitive defensively, but the Kings' 35-27-20 record, 2.68 goals per game, and 2.90 goals-against average show the gap, and they have now scored just four total goals through three games despite getting production from Adrian Kempe and some playmaking from Alex Laferriere.
The Game 3 loss was especially damaging because Colorado won despite MacKinnon not dominating the scoresheet, getting goals from Gabriel Landeskog, Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, and Brock Nelson, which highlights how many different ways the Avalanche can beat this Kings team. Even with elimination urgency and home ice, Los Angeles has not shown enough scoring punch to trust outright, but playoff closeout games can tighten up, and Colorado's low-event defensive structure makes the puck line trickier than the moneyline.
Betting Trends - COL vs LAK
The Avalanche carried a 55-16-11 regular-season record, 3.63 goals per game, and a 2.40 goals-against average into the postseason, and that profile has translated cleanly into this series with three straight wins by margins of one, one in overtime, and two. That's a team that grinds out close playoff hockey rather than blowing opponents out, which is exactly why the puck line is the spot the market is targeting most aggressively.
The Kings come in at 35-27-20 with 2.68 goals per game and a 2.90 goals-against average, and the offensive shortfall has been even more pronounced in this series with just four total goals across three games. That's a defensive team being asked to outscore Colorado's depth, and the math simply hasn't worked through three games.
Key Injuries and Notes - COL vs LAK
The injury report matters in a closeout spot like this one. Josh Manson is out for Colorado, which removes a physical, right-shot defenseman and could make the Avalanche slightly more vulnerable in defensive-zone matchups, especially against any sustained Kings cycle work down low.
Kevin Fiala's absence for Los Angeles is the bigger offensive issue because the Kings badly need another dangerous finisher to relieve pressure from Kempe and Anze Kopitar. Without Fiala in the lineup, Los Angeles' top-six is leaning heavily on a small handful of producers, and that has shown up in the goal totals across the first three games of this series.
Avalanche vs Kings ATS and Total Picks
- Puck Line: Los Angeles Kings +1.5. With Colorado around -170 and the series profile sitting at one-, one-, and two-goal margins, laying chalk on a low-event Avalanche team isn't the best use of the number. The Kings have kept all three games within reach, and that pattern is exactly what the puck line is built for.
- Total: Under 5.5 -102. Colorado's defensive structure, the Kings' scoring drought, and the closeout-game pace all point toward another low-event night. Los Angeles has scored just four goals across three games, and Colorado has played down to that pace rather than running away with games.
Final Score Prediction
The Avalanche are the better team and should finish the sweep, but Los Angeles' defensive approach keeps this competitive enough to live on the puck line. Expect another tight playoff hockey game with Colorado finding just enough offense from a balanced group of contributors.
- Final Score Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 3, Los Angeles Kings 2
How to Bet Avalanche vs Kings Game 4
This Game 4 closeout spot is one of the more layered betting boards on the NHL playoff slate, and depending on where you live and what type of action you prefer, there are several ways to get the puck line, total, or live action in.
For bettors who don't have access to traditional online sportsbooks, social sportsbooks are a strong option for getting Game 4 action with sweeps coin promotions and free daily play. They've expanded across nearly every state and offer real-money redemptions on winning tickets, making them a clean alternative for puck line plays like Kings +1.5.
If you're betting in a regulated state, new users can grab a strong sign-up offer with our bet365 bonus code, which is one of the better welcome promotions for NHL playoff betting. It applies cleanly to puck line, moneyline, and total plays for Colorado at Los Angeles Game 4, and it's a quick way to add value to a ticket you were already going to play.
And for casual bettors who want a low-stakes way to get involved, the fliff promo code is a great option. Fliff offers daily login rewards and a sweeps-style format that's perfect for parlaying NHL playoff sides and totals, and it pairs well with a closeout-spot ticket like the Kings puck line and the Under 5.5 we've highlighted above.
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