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Los Angeles Kings Face Sweep as Avalanche Dominate First-Round Series

Colorado holds a 3-0 series lead, threatening to eliminate the Kings for the fifth straight postseason.

Wordmark for the Colorado Avalanche hockey team
Wordmark for the Colorado Avalanche hockey team      Colorado Avalanche    Chris Creamer / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published April 24, 2026 at 7:42 AM PDT

The Los Angeles Kings are one loss away from elimination after falling behind 3-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in their first-round playoff series.

A sweep would mark the fifth consecutive postseason in which the Kings have been knocked out in the first round. Despite the situation, the Kings publicly vowed to be ready for Game 4, according to ESPN.

It is a stark position for a franchise that once defined playoff resilience, winning two Stanley Cups in three years in the early 2010s. Colorado has been the far superior team through three games, and the Kings have not found answers.

Game 4 gives Los Angeles its first chance to stave off elimination.

Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche, 2/6/10 @ Pepsi Center, Denver CO USA
Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche, 2/6/10 @ P…      Colorado Avalanche    BradJones9 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)