The Colorado Avalanche will take on the LA Kings in the first round of the NHL playoffs, having swept the regular-season series with a 3-0 record. The Avalanche boast elite talent, including Nathan MacKinnon, who finished the season as the league's goal-scoring leader, and Cale Makar, a top defenseman. The Kings, while underdogs, have a strong veteran presence in Anze Kopitar and skilled players like Artemi Panarin. Both teams will start goaltenders who have been considered backups for most of their careers, with Colorado's Scott Wedgewood leading the league in save percentage and goals against average. The Avalanche's depth and skill across all positions give them a significant advantage heading into this series, but the Kings are expected to bring physicality and a strong defensive strategy. The matchup promises to be an exciting battle as both teams vie for playoff success.