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Avalanche vs. Kings schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series
April 17, 2026
Source: Yahoo Sports · Read on source site
Avalanche vs. Kings schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With one team as a Stanley Cup favorite and another on a final ride, the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings are in store for a big opening-round matchup.
Colorado is the heavy favorite after finishing the 2025-26 season with the best record in the NHL. It has two of the best players in the league in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and no one would bat an eye if they won it all.
On the other side, the Kings just snuck into the playoffs and this David is set up for a matchup with Goliath. It is also the end of an era in Los Angeles, with captain Anze Kopitar retiring once the season is over. As a result, every series might be Kopitar's last.
These two teams are trending in opposite directions entering this series. The Avalanche have improved drastically from last season and ended this season on a three-game win streak. The Kings are sputtering, finishing worse than last season and losing their last two games. They'll look to ride the Kopitar train for as long as they still can.
Here's what you need to know to watch Avalanche vs. Kings, including broadcast information and start times.
Avalanche vs. Kings schedule
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 19 | Game 1 at Colorado | 3 p.m. | TNT, TruTV, DIRECTV |
| April 21 | Game 2 at Colorado | 10 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV |
| April 23 | Game 3 at Los Angeles | 10 p.m. | TNT, TruTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 4:30 p.m. | TNT, TruTV, DIRECTV |
| April 29 | Game 5* at Colorado | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
| May 1 | Game 6* at Los Angeles | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
| May 3 | Game 7* at Colorado | TBA | TBA, DIRECTV |
* If necessary
Where to watch Avalanche vs. Kings: TV channel, live stream
Games in the Avalanche vs. Kings series will air on multiple channels.
Fans can stream every playoff game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games on ABC and ESPN networks can also be streamed on the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| First round begins | April 18 |
| NHL Draft Lottery | May 4 or 5 |
| NHL Scouting Combine at Buffalo | May 31-June 6 |
| Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 21 |
| NHL Draft at Los Angeles | June 26-27 |
| Free agency begins | July 1 |