Hockey Royalty predictions for Round 1

The good news for the LA Kings and their fans is they don’t have to deal with the Edmonton Oilers again in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The bad news is they get a date with the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.

In what will be captain Anze Kopitar‘s final playoff run, the Kings will look to win their first playoff series since they last won the Stanley Cup in 2014. It has been a long 12 years, and despite making the playoffs each of the previous four seasons, they were beaten in the first round by the Oilers four straight seasons.

LA enters the playoffs as the biggest underdogs I n the league – by far. The most recent odds at DraftKings Sportsbook have the Colorado Avalanche as -450 favorites with the LA Kings at +340. That gives the Kings about a 22.7% chance at beating the Avs, and for good reason. LA managed just 34 wins this season (26th in the NHL), and only the Vancouver Canucks had fewer than their 22 regulation wins.

Under Jim Hiller, the LA Kings played every game seemingly hoping for one point and prepared to move on to the next one. The bench boss who led the team to the often trumpeted 105 points last season was fired on March 1st of this season after 59 uninspiring games.

Assistant Coach DJ Smith took over and guided the Kings to an 11-6-6 record in 23 games, one of the best stretches in the Western Conference during that time. Under Smith, LA has played with more energy and has done a better job at creating scoring chances.

Will LA’s improved play under Smith finally get them past Round 1? Hockey Royalty has its say…

Kyle Garcia

Finally, a new opponent! Instead of facing the Edmonton Oilers and the vaunted, dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for a fifth consecutive year, the Kings will see the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, spearheaded by Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar.

Obviously, the Kings will be heavy underdogs in this series, and rightfully so. As much as I would like to pick them to win, I just can’t. I think Colorado and their depth will be too much to handle for the Kings.

Prediction: Colorado in 5

Randon McMahon

In the wise words of Darryl Sutter in 2022, “I sure as hell don’t want to play Colorado in the first round because it’s going to be a waste of eight days.”

Prediction: Colorado in 5.

Ryan Sikes

I don’t see this series being particularly close. Maybe the Kings can steal a game, but I feel like it could be a clean sweep.

At least it’s not the Oilers?

Prediction: Colorado in 4.

Joe Patarino

Last season, we were begging Jim Hiller to play more of his lineup. This season, we may wish the opposite. There’s no hiding the pairing of Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci.

The LA Kings earned the right to play the Colorado Avalanche with their play this season – and with the job Ken Holland had done in the offseason. This will be the time for Holland’s theory of needing big defensemen to shine. Well, let’s see how it goes.

Prediction: Colorado in 5.

For more on the breakdown of the series with Russell Morgan, Randon McMahon, and Joe Patarino, check out the latest Hockey Royalty Live podcast.

Enjoy the playoffs!

Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Imags