Our Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche preview covers the odds, puck line, total, puck drop time, TV channel and where to watch on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The Los Angeles Kings (35-27-20 in 2025-26) visit the Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11) at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. Puck drop is 10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM MT). TV: TNT / truTV / HBO Max (U.S.).

Season-opener storyline: This is a rematch of last season’s Western Conference First Round, when the Avalanche swept the Kings and won Games 1 and 2 at Ball Arena by one goal each, Game 2 in overtime (NHL.com). It is also the Kings’ first regular-season game since Anze Kopitar retired after 20 seasons, and Peter Laviolette’s debut as Los Angeles coach. Colorado won the Presidents’ Trophy last season before Vegas swept it in the Western Conference Final. DraftKings lists Colorado at -180 and Los Angeles at +150 on the moneyline, with the total at 6.5.

Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche Odds, Puck Line & Game Info

Odds via DraftKings (through ESPN), cross-checked on Action Network, as of Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, ~1:40 PM ET. Totals varied by book at research time (5.5 to 6.5). Lines move, so check your sportsbook before puck drop. Starting goalies were not confirmed at research time.

Los Angeles Kings Preview: Last Season, Offseason & Goalies

2025-26 recap: Los Angeles went 35-27-20 (90 points) and finished fourth in the Pacific Division. The Kings lost an NHL-record 20 games after regulation and ranked 29th in scoring (2.68 goals per game), 28th on the power play and 30th on the penalty kill. They made the playoffs for a fifth straight season but lost in the first round again and have now lost seven straight playoff series since winning the 2014 Stanley Cup (NHL.com). Adrian Kempe led the team with 36 goals and 73 points.

Offseason moves: GM Ken Holland hired Peter Laviolette, the seventh-winningest coach in NHL history (846 wins), on June 9. Captain Anze Kopitar retired as the franchise’s all-time points leader (1,316). The Kings signed forwards Mats Zuccarello (54 points in 59 games with Minnesota), Erik Haula and Corey Perry, who returns for a second stint, plus defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and re-signed center Scott Laughton. Andrei Kuzmenko signed with Pittsburgh.

Key players & coach: Artemi Panarin, acquired from the Rangers on Feb. 4, is projected to line up with Quinton Byfield (career-high 24 goals) and Kempe. Byfield, Haula and Laughton are the top options at center after Kopitar’s retirement. Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Brandt Clarke (40 points) lead the defense. Laviolette won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.

Goalies: Darcy Kuemper went 19-14-15 with a 2.78 GAA and .891 save percentage in 50 games, and Anton Forsberg went 16-12-5 with a 2.57 GAA and .910 save percentage in 36 games. Los Angeles had not confirmed a starter at research time.

Injuries: Kevin Fiala (lower leg) remains on injured reserve after a follow-up procedure, and the Kings hope to have him back around November (LAKings.com). Perry (personal) and defenseman Joel Edmundson (undisclosed) are day-to-day. Jakub Dvorak (upper body) and Jan Jenik (undisclosed) are on injured reserve (ESPN).

Colorado Avalanche Preview: Presidents’ Trophy Winners

2025-26 recap: Colorado went 55-16-11 (121 points), won the Central Division and the Presidents’ Trophy, and led the NHL in goals scored while allowing the fewest. Nathan MacKinnon won the Rocket Richard Trophy with 53 goals and finished with 127 points, Martin Necas had 100 points, and Cale Makar was the Norris Trophy runner-up. The Avalanche swept Los Angeles and beat Minnesota in five games before Vegas swept them in the Western Conference Final.

Offseason moves: GM Chris MacFarland left to run Nashville’s hockey operations. Colorado traded Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus and sent Ross Colton and Jack Drury to Nashville in separate deals, bringing back forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux. The Avalanche also signed forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract and added defenseman Noah Juulsen.

Key players & coach: MacKinnon, Necas, Makar, Brock Nelson (33 goals), Artturi Lehkonen, Nazem Kadri and captain Gabriel Landeskog lead the way, with Devon Toews, Sam Malinski and Brent Burns also on defense. The penalty kill ranked first in the NHL last season (84.6 percent). Jared Bednar is in his 11th season as head coach.

Goalies: Scott Wedgewood (31-6-6, NHL-best 2.02 GAA and .921 save percentage) and Mackenzie Blackwood (23-10-2, 2.51 GAA) shared the William M. Jennings Trophy. Colorado had not confirmed a starter at research time.

Injuries: L’Heureux (lower body) and Logan O’Connor (lower body) are on injured reserve, along with Georgii Merkulov, Taylor Makar and goalie Trent Miner (ESPN).

Key Matchup Notes: Kings vs Avalanche

• Playoff rematch: Colorado swept Los Angeles in last season’s first round by scores of 2-1, 2-1 (OT), 4-2 and 5-1 (NHL.com).
• Scoring gap: The Avalanche scored the most goals in the NHL last season and allowed the fewest. The Kings ranked 29th in scoring at 2.68 goals per game.
• Special teams: Colorado’s penalty kill ranked first (84.6 percent). Los Angeles ranked 28th on the power play and 30th on the penalty kill.
• Extra time: The Kings went 13-20 in games decided after 60 minutes last season (NHL.com).
• In goal: Wedgewood led the NHL in GAA (2.02) and save percentage (.921). Forsberg (.910) and Kuemper (.891) split the Kings’ net last season.
• Odds snapshot: Colorado -180 / Los Angeles +150 on the moneyline, Avalanche -1.5 (+136) on the puck line, total 6.5 (DraftKings).

How to Watch Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Puck drop: 10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM MT)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colo.
TV: TNT, truTV and streaming on HBO Max in the U.S. NHL.com lists no Canadian national broadcast for this game at research time.

Check the puck line, moneyline and total above against your sportsbook before the September 30, 2026 puck drop, and look for confirmed starting goalies closer to game time.