The Kraken are in the NHL playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The reward? A date with the defending champions.
The Avalanche are set to first face off against the Kraken in the first round of the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Colorado won the Central Division on the last day of the regular season, surpassing Dallas for the top spot in the division and setting up the date with Seattle. The Avalanche have their eyes on repeating as Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Lightning in the 2022 final.
It's been an injury-riddled season for the club, however, 100-point campaigns from Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon helped the organization get back to the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.
For Seattle, the club improved immensely from its inaugural season, getting to the postseason in just the second campaign for the franchise. Jared McCann put up 40 goals this season, leading a Kraken offense that finished in the top five in the league.
NHL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Updated standings, bracket, matchups & key dates
Here's what you need to know about the series between the Avalanche and Kraken.
Key storyline: Can the Avalanche stay healthy?
The biggest talking point all season long with the Avalanche has been their injuries. MacKinnon and Cale Makar have both missed extensive time, as well as Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, Bowen Byram and Josh Manson.
Even as the Avalanche enter the postseason, the team isn't 100 percent healthy. Makar missed the last two weeks of the regular season and Gabriel Landeskog, who missed the entire regular season, has been ruled out for the playoffs.
There's no denying just how good the Avalanche are when at full strength. But we saw during the regular season that if injuries take a toll on this team, they are beatable.
Every team has concerns about injuries come playoff time. However, Colorado is not as deep as it was last year, and injuries especially at the forward position could be costly.
Avalanche vs. Kraken playoff schedule, TV channels
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
| Tue., April 18 | at Colorado | FINAL | Kraken 3, Avalanche 1 |
| Thu., April 20 | at Colorado | FINAL | Avalanche 3, Kraken 2 |
| Sat. April 22 | at Seattle | FINAL | Avalanche 6, Kraken 4 |
| Mon., April 24 | at Seattle | FINAL | Kraken 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) |
| Wed., April 26 | at Colorado | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS |
| Fri., April 28 | at Seattle | TBD | TBD |
| *Sun., April 30 | at Colorado | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Avalanche vs. Kraken odds
Sports Interaction has listed Colorado as a -250 favorite to win the series against the Kraken.
Avalanche: -294
Kraken: +254
Odds provided by Sports Interaction
In the U.S., Bet 365 also has the Avalanche as the betting favorite to win the first-round series over the Kraken.
Avalanche: -310
Kraken: +250
Odds provided by Bet 365
Avalanche vs. Kraken prediction
The Kraken are a team that cannot be taken lightly. The team is not built on star power, but rather depth at all positions, which has worked well for the team this season.
With that said, the Avalanche are on a mission to repeat as champions, carrying a much more talented roster led by MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen and Co.
If the Avalanche are going to be stopped this postseason, it won't come in the first round.
Prediction: Avalanche in five.
