Avalanche and Kings Set to Begin New NHL Season with High Hopes
As the 2025-26 NHL season gets underway, the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings prepare to face off at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night, October 7, with both teams eager to move beyond the disappointments of early playoff exits that have haunted them in recent years. The 10:30 PM ET matchup, which will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on Fubo, represents more than just a season opener—it’s the beginning of redemption campaigns for two talented Western Conference squads with championship aspirations.
For the Kings, the narrative has become painfully repetitive: four consecutive first-round playoff eliminations at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. Last season’s defeat was particularly heartbreaking, as Los Angeles built a promising 2-0 series lead before dropping four straight games to Edmonton. Adding emotional weight to this season is captain Anže Kopitar’s announcement that his 20th NHL campaign will be his last, marking the end of an era for the franchise. The Kings will also need to overcome the loss of shutdown defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who departed for the New York Rangers via free agency. Not all news has been discouraging for Los Angeles, however, as goaltender Darcy Kuemper is coming off the finest season of his career. His impressive statistics—31 wins, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage—earned him his first Vezina Trophy finalist honor and provide a solid foundation for the Kings’ aspirations.
The Avalanche, meanwhile, have struggled to recapture the magic of their 2022 Stanley Cup triumph. Despite accumulating 102 points last season, Colorado fell to the Dallas Stars in a hard-fought seven-game series, continuing a trend of postseason disappointment. What makes their regular-season success all the more remarkable was the unprecedented roster turnover they experienced, using a league-high 49 different players throughout the 2024-25 campaign. The Avalanche were particularly vulnerable in net until mid-season acquisitions Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood stabilized the position—both goaltenders return this year, hoping to build on their momentum. Colorado’s greatest strength remains its superstar core, with captain Gabriel Landeskog leading a group that features perennial MVP candidate Nathan MacKinnon and Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman Cole Makar.
Tuesday’s opener represents a critical first step for both teams as they attempt to redefine their trajectories. For the Kings, the emotional farewell tour of Kopitar could provide additional motivation throughout the season, while Kuemper looks to prove his outstanding performance was no fluke. The team must also find ways to compensate for Gavrikov’s departure on the blue line and finally solve the Edmonton puzzle that has frustrated them for four straight postseasons. Los Angeles fans hope this combination of veteran leadership and goaltending excellence will finally propel them deeper into the playoffs.
Colorado enters the season with equally high stakes but different challenges. The Avalanche must find consistency in their lineup after last season’s revolving door of personnel. Having established goaltenders from the outset should provide stability that was lacking early last year. Additionally, they’ll look to their star-studded core to lead the way, with MacKinnon’s explosive offensive talents, Makar’s elite two-way play, and Landeskog’s leadership forming the backbone of their championship aspirations. If Colorado can stay healthier this season while maintaining their scoring prowess, they have legitimate Stanley Cup potential.
As these Western Conference powers prepare to drop the puck on a new season, both fan bases approach with cautious optimism. The Kings believe this could be the year they break through their first-round ceiling, especially with the added emotional component of Kopitar’s final season. The Avalanche, just three seasons removed from hoisting the Cup, see themselves as championship contenders who simply need better luck with health and a more focused playoff approach. Tuesday’s opener won’t determine either team’s fate, but it represents the first chapter in what both organizations hope will be successful campaigns culminating in deep playoff runs next spring. For hockey fans everywhere, this high-profile matchup serves as an exciting introduction to what promises to be another thrilling NHL season.
