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Game 4 heads to Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, April 26, with puck drop set for 4:30 PM ET on TNT. Colorado leads this first-round series 3-0 and now gets its first chance to close it out, while Los Angeles is trying to avoid another early playoff exit after three straight losses to open the round. The Avalanche have controlled the series without needing wild, high-scoring games, and that matters because this market is still built around Colorado as the clear favorite with a total of 5.5.
What stands out is how narrow the margins have felt even with Colorado up 3-0. Los Angeles has not been completely run over shift to shift, but the Kings have only scored four goals in the series and have struggled to create enough at five-on-five. Colorado, meanwhile, has leaned into a more committed defensive game than people expected and has gotten steady goaltending behind it. That gives this matchup a slightly different shape than the regular season version.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Odds
These are the current betting lines for Game 4, and bettors should always keep an eye on the latest NHL odds before puck drop because goalie confirmation and late injury news can still move a playoff number.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | -164 | -1.5 (+155) | O 5.5 (-117) |
| Los Angeles Kings | +141 | +1.5 (-189) | U 5.5 (-105) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
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Colorado Avalanche Betting Form
Colorado still looks like the more complete team because the edge is not coming from one hot scorer or one lucky stretch. Through three playoff games, the Avalanche have allowed only four total goals, and they have shown they can win in a low-event script just as easily as they can in a more open one. That is a huge plus for bettors because it gives Colorado more than one path to cover a favorite price. The broader Colorado Avalanche stats and results page fits that picture too, showing a team that entered the playoffs with elite two-way balance.
The other big point is five-on-five control. Colorado’s power play is still sitting at 0-for-9 in the series, which is surprising given the talent on the ice, but the Avalanche have been good enough at even strength that it has not hurt them much yet. Scott Wedgewood is listed as the projected starter again for Game 4, with Mackenzie Blackwood behind him, and that keeps Colorado in a stable spot in net. The lineup should also stay mostly intact even with Josh Manson unlikely to play after leaving Game 3 with an upper-body injury. Availability still matters, so give the Colorado Avalanche injury report one last look before puck drop.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Form
Los Angeles still has a case, but it starts with structure rather than offense. The Kings have kept these games reasonably tight for stretches, they are blocking shots, and their special teams have given them a little life. Anton Forsberg is projected to start again, with Darcy Kuemper behind him, and that does at least give the Kings a goalie who has been capable of stealing momentum when the game settles down. The season-long Los Angeles Kings schedule and stats page also supports the idea that this team has generally been more competitive than the 0-3 series score suggests.
The problem is that the Kings have been too dependent on the power play. They have only four goals in the series, and the five-on-five offense still has not shown enough to make Colorado uncomfortable for long stretches. Home ice and last change should help D.J. Smith hunt cleaner matchups for Kopitar, Kempe, and Panarin, and with elimination on the table, you would expect Los Angeles to push early. But the gap in depth still shows up once the game gets into its normal rhythm. With Kevin Fiala still out and Alex Turcotte only a possible return after missing the first three games of the series, depth remains a concern, so it is worth checking the Los Angeles Kings injury report before puck drop.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Matchup Breakdown
This series still comes back to pace and five-on-five trust. Colorado wants longer offensive-zone shifts, layered pressure, and enough skill touches to break down structure eventually. Los Angeles wants something much cleaner and tighter, a game that stays under control and gives the Kings a chance to make special teams or goaltending the difference. Through three games, Colorado has been the side more capable of dictating the terms that matter.
Special teams are the one place where Los Angeles can still flip the feel of the game. Colorado’s power play has not connected yet in the series, and the Kings have already shown they can punish mistakes with the extra man. But there is a catch there too. If Los Angeles needs the power play to carry most of its offense again, the margin stays tiny. Colorado has simply looked more trustworthy at even strength, and in a playoff game like this, I still think that is the most important edge. If you like framing matchups through that lens, the NHL betting guide and the Stanley Cup betting guide both fit naturally here.
There is also a small schedule and pressure angle working in opposite directions. The Kings are home and desperate, which can sharpen the opening 10 minutes, but Colorado is in the calmer spot and does not need to chase this game if it stays tight. The Avalanche can win 2-1, 3-2, or 4-2. Los Angeles, at least so far, has looked like it needs a narrower script to get this series back to Denver.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Predictions and Best Bets
My main side lean is Colorado on the moneyline. The Avalanche are the better team, yes, but more importantly they are the better five-on-five team, and that tends to be the part of the handicap I trust most once a playoff series settles into its real shape. They have already shown they can beat Los Angeles in a tighter defensive game, and that makes Colorado easier to back as a favorite even on the road.
The puck line is tempting because the Avalanche are one win from a sweep and have more scoring depth, but I do not love forcing that angle in what has mostly been a controlled series. Los Angeles is structured enough to hang around, especially at home with last change and a little desperation energy. So for me, the cleaner value is paying for the superior side rather than demanding a multi-goal margin.
The total is close. I understand the under case because Colorado has defended so well and Los Angeles still has only four goals through three games. But I lean slightly over the posted number more than under because the Kings should be more aggressive in an elimination spot, and that can create a wider third-period script if Colorado gets ahead. Still, it is not my favorite angle. The stronger read is that Colorado has more ways to win this game than Los Angeles does.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche moneyline (-164).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are building out the full playoff card, today’s NHL picks are a strong place to start because they let you compare multiple opinions quickly. The broader NHL game previews page helps too when you want context across the entire board instead of isolating one matchup.
There is also real value in comparing different styles before you lock anything in. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to track long-term performance, while the page of top sports handicappers helps you sort through experts who fit your approach best. That matters in the NHL because some cappers are stronger on sides, others on totals, and others on playoff derivatives.
And if you want a stronger card than one free opinion can offer, premium NHL picks are the cleanest next step. That gives bettors a way to compare a fuller menu of positions before the market moves too far.
