The Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche open their preseason schedules against each other on October 1, with both teams showcasing offseason additions and key storylines.
The Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche kick off their 2026-27 preseason on Thursday, October 1, at Ball Arena, a matchup that offers an early glimpse at two division rivals with very different offseason priorities. The Kings, fourth in the Pacific Division, have remade their forward group with a wave of veteran signings, while the Central Division-leading Avalanche are focused on locking up star defenseman Cale Makar and integrating Stanley Cup winner Jaden Schwartz. This preseason tilt may not count in the standings, but it will be an important first test for both rosters.
Los Angeles Kings: Experience Overhaul
The Kings enter this preseason after a busy free agency period that added several seasoned forwards. Los Angeles signed Erik Haula to a two-year contract and re-signed Scott Laughton to a three-year extension, per team announcements. Earlier in free agency, the Kings also agreed to one-year deals with Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry, according to ESPN sources. These moves inject a blend of playmaking, net-front presence, and two-way reliability into a forward group that will need to gel quickly under head coach Jim Hiller.
With no game data available from last season, the focus is on how these new pieces fit. Zuccarello brings elite passing vision, Perry adds a Stanley Cup pedigree and scoring touch around the crease, Haula offers playoff experience, and Laughton provides versatility at center or wing. The October 1 game at Colorado will be an early evaluation of line combinations and special teams, as the Kings look to climb from their fourth-place Pacific finish. Chemistry will be a work in progress, but the veteran savvy could pay dividends in a tight division race.
Colorado Avalanche: Makar Watch and Schwartz Addition
The Avalanche are the class of the Central Division, and their biggest offseason storyline is the contract extension for two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar. General Manager Joe Sakic said Sunday he’s “confident” a deal will be signed before the season starts, speaking at an alumni game. The extension is expected to reset the market for NHL defensemen, following Bowen Byram’s $12.5 million per year benchmark. Makar’s presence alone makes Colorado a contender, and his participation in this preseason game will be a headline unto itself.
On the ice, the Avalanche added veteran forward Jaden Schwartz on a three-year, $3.25 million annual contract, per a source. Schwartz, 34, won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019 and brings playoff savvy to a forward corps that already features elite talent. The Avalanche were active in free agency, and this game will show how Schwartz slots into the lineup and whether the team’s new pieces mesh with its established core. As the top team in the Central, Colorado has high expectations, and this preseason contest is a first step toward meeting them.
Head-to-Head: New Looks, Familiar Rivalry
While this is a preseason matchup, the Kings and Avalanche are division foes with a history of competitive games. The Kings’ overhauled forward group will face a stiff test against Colorado’s defensive structure, even in an exhibition setting. The Avalanche will rely on their speed and transition game, while Los Angeles will look to grind out chances with veteran positioning. Special teams could be a deciding factor, as both teams will be experimenting with new personnel.
- Kings’ veteran additions (Haula, Laughton, Zuccarello, Perry) vs. Avalanche’s established core.
- Makar’s contract situation and whether he plays.
- Jaden Schwartz’s debut in an Avalanche sweater.
- Early chemistry and line combinations for both coaches.
- Preseason intensity: veterans may sit, prospects get a look.
Prediction
Expect a competitive but disjointed preseason game as both teams work through line combinations and evaluate depth. The Avalanche have the edge with their stable core and home ice, even if Makar and other stars see limited minutes. Look for Colorado to control play and win a low-scoring affair, with the Kings showing flashes of their new veteran chemistry but ultimately falling short.
Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 3, Los Angeles Kings 2 — a tight preseason result that hints at bigger things for both teams when the regular season begins.
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