| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COL | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| LAK | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Avalanche, First Round Game 4, beat Kings 5–1 at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2026.
The Colorado Avalanche showed their dominance with a decisive 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of the First Round, completing a series sweep with a 4-0 record. The Kings faced elimination in this high-stakes game, but they couldn't muster enough energy to extend their season.
With this win, the Avalanche have clinched the series, moving on to the next round unscathed. The Kings are left to reflect on a disappointing playoff run, marked by an inability to overcome the size and skill of the Avalanche. Colorado's depth and execution proved too much for Los Angeles, who were unable to capitalize on crucial moments.
The Avalanche controlled the game's pace early on, with Nathan MacKinnon opening the scoring at 13:13 in the first period. The momentum shifted again in the second period when Cale Makar scored just under six minutes in, putting the Avalanche ahead 2-0.
Although the Kings responded shortly after Makar's goal with Joel Edmundson finding the net, the Avalanche quickly regained control by scoring three more unanswered goals in the third period. This showcased their depth and ability to seize opportunities, as they tallied goals from Nicolas Roy, Devon Toews, and MacKinnon, solidifying the game.
Nathan MacKinnon stood out for the Avalanche, scoring two goals and providing an assist, showcasing his elite skill and playmaking ability. Cale Makar also made a significant impact with his scoring, and together with Gabriel Landeskog's assists, the Avalanche's top line was firing on all cylinders.
On the Kings' side, while Joel Edmundson managed to score, the overall performance was lackluster. The team struggled with consistency and didn’t capitalize on their chances, with 25 shots on goal compared to the Avalanche's 32. The inability to convert scoring opportunities ultimately hurt them in the wake of strong defensive play from Colorado.
With the Avalanche advancing in the playoffs, they will prepare for their next opponent in the upcoming round. Their strong performance throughout the series signals they should be a formidable force moving forward, while the Kings will need to regroup and reassess for the next season.
Avalanche won 5–1.
The final score was Avalanche 5, Kings 1.
Nathan MacKinnon (2), Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Nicolas Roy.
Joel Edmundson.
Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves on 25 shots (.960 save percentage).
Anton Forsberg made 27 saves on 31 shots (.871 save percentage).
At Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Kings home rink.
Have a different question? Ask the Oracle — it answers from this season's box scores.