Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting and Prediction
The Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings enter Wednesday night’s contest with high playoff hopes. However, the path they’ve each taken hasn’t been the same.
Colorado leads both the Western Conference and the NHL with a 52-14-6 record. Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Avalanche looks for a solid finish to the regular season ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Kings (39-26-10) sit in third place within the Pacific Division. They sit just two points behind second-place Edmonton Oilers (42-26-6) and look to hold onto their playoff spot down the home stretch.
Avalanche Hope to Keep Hot Streak Going
There aren’t many teams in the NHL playing as well as the Avalanche right now. They’ve won six games in a row and 11 of their last 13 games.
Colorado suffered several big injury blows to Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog. Kadri has been out with an upper-body injury since April 2, with no timetable for his return. Meanwhile, Landeskog injured his knee on March 12 and is scheduled to have surgery which will put him out indefinitely.
Despite the injuries to two key pieces, the Avalanche’s offense hasn’t missed a beat. Their 271 GF and 3.76 GF/G are tops in the Western Conference and third in the NHL.
They boast the fifth-best powerplay percentage (25.00 PP%) in the NHL. Furthermore, their 61 powerplay goals and 244 powerplay opportunities are number one in the NHL.
Over their current six-game winning streak, 13 different players have tallied goals for the Avalanche.
On the season, Ten or more Avalanche players have 12 or more goals; five players have 25 or more goals.
Defensively, Colorado has been just as strong as their electric offense. Their 197 GA and 2.74 GA/G are second in the Western Conference. They also keep opposing powerplays at bay with a 78.95 PK%, sixth in the conference.
Darcy Kuemper has been strong between the pipes for Colorado. In 50 starts, he has a 34-9-3 record with a .926 SV% and a 2.37 GAA.
Kings Look to Turnaround Recent Struggles
The Kings come into Wednesday’s contest, coming off a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks that broke a three-game losing skid.
The victory is just fifth over their last 13 games.
This season, Los Angeles has leaned heavily on its defense and goaltending, making up for a lackluster offense. Offensively, the Kings average just 2.81 GF/G, 22nd in the NHL.
Adrian Kempe leads the team in goals with 32, while Phillip Danault (22) and Viktor Arvidsson (20) are the only other Kings with 20 or more goals. Veteran Anze Kopitar has led the way in points for the Kings, posting 18 goals and 43 assists for a team-high 61 points.
Defensively, the Kings allow 2.84 GA/G, 11th in the NHL. cheCalvin Petersen and Jonathan Quick have split the goaltending duties this season for Los Angeles.
Quick has made more starts, going 17-13-9 in 39 starts, with a .908 SV% and a 2.67 GAA.
Meanwhile, Petersen has made 34 starts, going 20-13-1 with a .988 SV% and a 2.79 GAA.
Avalanche Are Primed to Take Down Kings at Home
The Avalanche enter Wednesday’s home contest against the Kings, playing much better hockey as of late.
Colorado has also been tough playing at the Ball Arena in front of the home faithful. The Avalanche owns a 28-4-3 mark at home, second in the NHL to only the Florida Panther (31-6-0).
The Avalanche has lost just twice in regulation over their last ten home games.
This season, they’re also 2-0-0 against the Kings, earning 3-0 and 4-1 wins over Los Angles.
The Avalanche/Kings has an over/under of six goals. Two of Colorado’s last three games have surpassed six goals. Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ previous two games have gone over six goals.
Colorado is listed as the favorite at -255; the Avalanche is the pick in this one.
