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Los Angeles (16-12-9) at Colorado (28-2-7)
- When: Dec 29 2025, 9:00 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: FDSW
Los Angeles vs Colorado NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Colorado -235
Spread: Colorado -1.5 (+110)
Total: 6.0
Colorado Avalanche Betting Breakdown
Colorado has officially reached the phase of the season where they win games in whatever style the hockey gods feel like serving that night. Low scoring grind one day, full chaos shootout the next. Same result every time. Win column gets another check mark.
The Avalanche went into the break playing disciplined defensive hockey and came out of it like they forgot defense was optional, winning a wild game in Vegas anyway. That pretty much sums up this team. They are comfortable winning ugly, winning pretty, or winning in ways that stress out everyone watching.
Nathan MacKinnon continues to skate like someone told him he personally needs to carry the franchise, the city, and possibly the league. He is everywhere, all the time, and somehow still looks annoyed when the puck is not on his stick. The supporting cast has been equally relentless. Colorado rolls lines, pushes pace, and overwhelms teams with depth instead of relying on one magic trick.
Defensively, the Avalanche are sneaky deep. Even when the top pairing takes a breather, the next wave steps in and keeps the puck moving north. That ability to attack in layers makes Colorado brutal to play against at home, where altitude and tempo combine into a slow suffocation.
Simply put, Colorado does not panic. They do not trail emotionally. They just keep skating until opponents blink.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Breakdown
Los Angeles arrives feeling better about itself after finally remembering how to score goals. The Kings snapped a rough stretch with a blowout win, which felt less like dominance and more like a deep exhale after holding their breath for weeks.
The Kings are still a structured team. They want clean breakouts, controlled possessions, and responsible hockey. That works fine when games stay tight. The issue is when they fall behind early. Playing catch up against Colorado is like trying to sprint uphill in skates.
Offensively, the Kings rely on balance rather than star power. When everyone chips in, they can hang around. When they go quiet for stretches, games get away from them quickly. Defensive discipline is usually a strength, but Colorado has a habit of breaking structure through sheer speed.
This matchup also brings a situational challenge. Denver is not a friendly building, especially against a team that struggles generating consistent offense on the road.
Betting Outlook and Final Prediction
Colorado is a Moneyline favorite at -235, with the total set at 6.0. This line reflects reality. Colorado is simply the better team right now, especially at home. Los Angeles can compete early, but sustaining pressure for sixty minutes against this Avalanche squad is a tall order.
The total feels fair. Colorado can score in bunches, but the Kings will try to slow things down and avoid a track meet.
Colorado keeps rolling, the home crowd stays happy, and Los Angeles learns once again that some mountains are still too steep to climb.
Score Prediction: Avalanche 4, Kings 2
Pick: Colorado -1.5 (+110)
Total: Over 5.5 Alt Lines (-145)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
