The best playoffs in sports roll on, as three Game 3s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are on the slate for Thursday. For my best bet for Thursday (April 23rd): NHL Playoffs Predictions, we’re off to crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Let’s get this money!
Best Bet For Thursday (April 23rd): NHL Playoffs Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Start Time: 10:00 PM EST
While the majority of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series are knotted at a game apiece, this Western Conference matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings has gone to script. The best team in the league, the Avalanche, swept the first two games on their home ice by an identical score of 2-1.
While I’m not predicting we’ll have another 2-1 game tomorrow as Game 3 goes down in La La Land, I am predicting another Colorado win. Shocking, I know. While (why am I starting every sentence with that word?!) the Avalanche have the advantage in this matchup in every aspect, we’re still getting a playable moneyline on them.
The most important factor for Game 3 could be the Kings’ (secret?) ineptitude in front of their home crowd. Los Angeles went 15-17-9 at crypto.com Arena this season, the fourth-worst home mark in the league, and the worst record among the remaining field of teams. Colorado, meanwhile, was the NHL’s best road team.
Best Bet: Colorado ML (-153)
Best Bet Overall 2026 Record: 66-45 (59%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $618.53
Return on Investment: 6%
SGPN Daily Content for April 23rd, 2026
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