CROSSOVER: The Avalanche and Kings Set to Square Off in Round One of the NHL Playoffs
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In this special crossover episode of the Locked On Podcast Network, Chris Maselli of Locked On Avalanche and Eddie Garcia of Locked On Kings break down the highly anticipated first-round NHL playoff matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche, the top seed in the Central Division and the NHL's best regular-season team with 121 points, face off against the Kings, the second wild card in the Western Conference with 90 points. Despite the Kings' underdog status and a history of first-round exits since their 2014 Stanley Cup win, they’ve earned respect for their resilience—playing 46 one-goal games and going to overtime 33 times. The episode explores key storylines: for the Avalanche, it's not just about advancing past the first round, but about fulfilling their potential as a dominant team with a 'wire-to-wire' regular season and a chance to finally win the Cup. For the Kings, the pressure is on to break their five-year first-round curse and validate their playoff berth. The discussion dives into player performances, goaltending duos, X factors like the Avalanche’s struggling power play (now improved post-trade), and the Kings’ reliance on late-season momentum and veteran leadership. Both hosts express skepticism about the 'President’s Trophy curse' and emphasize the unpredictability of playoff hockey, ultimately predicting a six-game series victory for the Avalanche. Key takeaways include: 1) The Avalanche’s depth and elite goaltending (Wedgwood and Blackwood) give them a strong edge; 2) The Kings’ success hinges on Anton Forsberg stepping up in net and their special teams improving; 3) The Avalanche’s power play has shown signs of life after a disastrous start, thanks to Nazem Khadri’s return; 4) Coaching stability matters—Jared Bednar remains safe despite past first-round exits, while DJ Smith is coaching for his job; 5) The Kings’ 2012 Cup run offers historical precedent for an upset, but the odds favor Colorado. The episode closes on a note of excitement and respect for the unpredictability of sports, with both hosts agreeing that the best team will win.
The Avalanche are favored due to their elite regular-season performance and depth, but must prove they can perform under playoff pressure.
The Kings’ 2012 Cup run proves an underdog can win, but their first-round exit streak since 2014 remains a major psychological hurdle.
Avalanche’s power play has improved significantly post-trade deadline, especially with Nazem Khadri’s return, though he’s currently injured.
Goaltending is a key X factor—Scott Wedgwood is the clear starter, but Mackenzie Blackwood remains a vital backup.
The Kings’ special teams are poor (28th on power play, 30th on penalty kill), making their matchup against the NHL’s #1 penalty kill a major disadvantage.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction and Playoff Matchup Overview
Chris Maselli and Eddie Garcia introduce the special crossover episode, setting the stage for the first-round playoff series between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. They highlight the contrast in team trajectories: the Avalanche as the top seed and favorites, the Kings as a resilient wild card with a history of first-round exits.
Kings' Storyline: Breaking the First-Round Curse
“This is the fifth straight year they made the playoffs. The bad news is five straight years out in the first round. And the past four years losing to the Oilers. The Kings have not won a playoff series since they won the Stanley Cup in 2014, 0 for 7 in their playoff appearances.”
Avalanche's Storyline: Beyond the First Round
“For a team that's been doing that, you would think that it would be the same as the Kings mindset of let's make some progression and get out of the first round. But when you have a team like the Avs have a team and did what they did this year, that's the big storyline for them is not can you get out of the first round? Like that's not good enough for this team.”
Key Players and X Factors
“Sam Malinsky kind of emerged this year as more than capable of being anything that you need him to do in any pairing. He's literally played all three pairings.”
Coaching, Special Teams, and Momentum
The episode examines coaching strategies: Bednar’s ‘Blender’ approach versus Smith’s consistency. Special teams are dissected—Avalanche’s power play has improved post-trade, while the Kings’ are among the worst. Late-season momentum and motivation (especially for Kopitar) are seen as key for LA.
“This is the fifth straight year they made the playoffs. The bad news is five straight years out in the first round. And the past four years losing to the Oilers. The Kings have not won a playoff series since they won the Stanley Cup in 2014, 0 for 7 in their playoff appearances.”
“For a team that's been doing that, you would think that it would be the same as the Kings mindset of let's make some progression and get out of the first round. But when you have a team like the Avs have a team and did what they did this year, that's the big storyline for them is not can you get out of the first round? Like that's not good enough for this team.”
“The Kings’ 2012 Cup run proves an underdog can win, but the odds favor Colorado.”
Hosts
Colorado Avalanche
other
Los Angeles Kings
other
Chris Maselli
person
Eddie Garcia
person
Jared Bednar
person
Scott Wedgwood
person
Mackenzie Blackwood
person
DJ Smith
person
Anton Forsberg
person
Nazem Khadri
person
3 Stars of the Game: Flames vs Avalanche
Locked On Avalanche - Daily Podcast On The Colorado Avalanche • 19m • 4/1/2026
Avalanche Keeping Cale Makar Out As A Precaution. Do Avs Ride the Goalie Tandem Throughout Playoffs?
Locked On Avalanche - Daily Podcast On The Colorado Avalanche • 38m • 4/1/2026
YIKES: Avalanche Lose to League Worst Canucks. What's the Impact on the Goalie Equation?
Locked On Avalanche - Daily Podcast On The Colorado Avalanche • 38m • 4/2/2026
Overreactions Running Wild Following Avs Loss to Canucks. Wedgewood Firmly In Command of the Net.
Locked On Avalanche - Daily Podcast On The Colorado Avalanche • 31m • 4/3/2026
Scott Wedgewood Blanks Stars As Avalanche Grind Out Victory in Dallas
Locked On Avalanche - Daily Podcast On The Colorado Avalanche • 37m • 4/4/2026
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