The Avalanche have been waiting for the playoffs to start since October, locking up the Presidents’ Trophy with 121 points.
Sunday marks the start of their quest for a second Stanley Cup in five years as Colorado takes on the Kings in Game 1 at Ball Arena.
While the Avalanche didn’t lose a game in regulation for the first two months of the season, the Kings only won 22 without overtime. A coaching change and the blockbuster acquisition of Artemi Panarin gave Los Angeles the boost it needed late in the season to make a push for Anze Kopitar’s final season.
Fortunately for the Kings, they will have a different first-round opponent than Connor McDavid and the Oilers for the first time since 2018.
Unfortunately for the Kings, the Avalanche pose a daunting challenge. They swept the Kings in the season series and are priced as FanDuel’s heaviest favorite to advance past the first round at -530 to win this series.
Kings vs. Avalanche Game 1 prediction, best bet
Defending the Avalanche’s offense is akin to drinking water from a fire hose. There is no greater offensive margin in this first round than the difference between the Avs and Kings. Colorado was No. 1 in goals, goal differential and 5-on-5 expected goal rate. Los Angeles finished 29th, 20th and 26th in those categories.
So for value, I’m picking a steady hand to target on the scoresheet.
Of course, there’s Nathan MacKinnon, the odds-on favorite to win the Hart Trophy, who potted 127 points. Cale Makar continues to prove why he’s a generational two-way talent with 79 points on the blue line.
But someone who brings plus-money value and is an undeniable factor is Martin Necas. He registered his first 100-point season in his first full campaign as a member of the Avalanche.
Necas became the quiet star of this club after returning from the Olympic break, leading the roster with 16 goals and 28 points in 26 games. With MacKinnon drawing extra defensive attention every shift, Necas has only benefited with space off the rush.
Betting on the NHL?
The Kings’ blue line is strong defensively but lacks puck-moving ability, meaning they can get stuck in their own zone. Against a cycling, high-speed attack led by MacKinnon and Makar, Necas is often the one finding soft spots or finishing quick plays.
Not to mention, the Czech buried three goals against the Kings in his three meetings with them.
THE PLAY: Martin Necas Anytime Goalscorer (+135, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
