Todd Cordell
• Betting Analyst
12+ years betting experience
Updated:
Apr 26, 2026 , 01:37 PM ET
• 3 min read
Cordell’s prediction: Nathan MacKinnon will finally break the seal.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight + goal scorer pick
Nathan MacKinnon was the league’s best goal scorer during the regular season, but he’s stuck with a big ole’ donut in that category through the first three games against the Los Angeles Kings.
My Avalanche vs. Kings predictions expect MacKinnon to rip the monkey off his back and light the lamp as his team looks to complete a Round 1 sweep.
Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Sunday, April 26.
Avalanche vs Kings Game 4 prediction
Who will win Avalanche vs Kings Game 4?
Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon hasn’t scored, Martin Necas hasn’t scored, Cale Makar has only one point, and the Avalanche are still winning the series 8-4 and on the verge of a sweep. I think the Avalanche will bring their best to the table in order to put the Kings away and earn extra rest heading into a monstrous second round series against Dallas or Minnesota.
Avalanche vs Kings best bet: Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal (-105)
Nathan MacKinnon leads the Colorado Avalanche in scoring chances and high-danger opportunities through three games. He just hasn’t converted.
That spells trouble for the Los Angeles Kings as MacKinnon is a ticking time bomb. He led the league in goals and only went more than three straight without scoring twice during the regular season.
He is in the perfect situation to find the net Sunday. He will be working on two days of rest, and he has feasted under those circumstances.
MacKinnon has 10 goals over his last nine games following two days off, and scored in seven of them.
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Avalanche vs Kings Game 4 same-game parlay
Martin Necas is attached to the hip of MacKinnon at even-strength and on the power play. Given how intertwined they are, it should come as no surprise Necas assisted in seven of the last nine games MacKinnon scored in. Colorado’s top duo has been quiet (relatively speaking) but I expect their best in Game 4.
The Kings are allowing more than 82 attempts per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play with Cody Ceci on the ice. That’s the highest mark of any defender on the roster, meaning Ceci is spending a ton of time in the defensive zone and there’s plenty of volume to jump in front of.
Avalanche vs Kings SGP
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal
Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists
Cody Ceci Over 1.5 blocked shots
Avalanche vs Kings Game 4 goal scorer pick
Martin Necas (+155)
There’s a lot to like with MacKinnon’s running mate as well. He is leading the Avalanche in expected goals and slots second to MacKinnon in scoring chances. Necas potted 11 goals more than expected in the regular season so his chances should start pouring in sooner than later.
Avalanche vs Kings odds for Game 4
Moneyline: Colorado -160 | Los Angeles +140
Puck Line: Colorado -1.5 (+155) | Los Angeles +1.5 (-180)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Avalanche vs Kings trend
Martin Necas has averaged 1.1 assists through 14 games following two days off. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Kings.
How to watch Avalanche vs Kings Game 4
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Puck drop
4:30 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, truTV
Avalanche vs Kings latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Todd Cordell is a data-driven betting analyst. He uses numbers to help identify value across a wide variety of sports, with NHL being his specialty. Shot props, in particular, have proven to be a very fruitful market. Todd has served as a betting analyst in the public sphere for many years, most recently with theScore covering the NHL and MLB.
When not writing about sports betting, Todd stays busy analyzing the New Jersey Devils with a fine-tooth comb for InfernalAccess, his Devils-centric blog. Todd attended Sheridan College and graduated in 2014 with a diploma in print journalism.
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