Winning Game 1 is important in many ways. For the Avalanche, it allowed them to assert their status as the Presidents’ Trophy winners early in the series, before the doubt trickles in for a team that has all the tools.

Colorado defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Monday. At times, it didn’t feel like a one-goal game. The advanced metrics weren’t entirely in the Avs’ favor either, but it still felt like the Avs imposed their will. Over the final 40 minutes of action, Jared Bednar’s club had tons of rushes up the ice. They controlled play in the L.A. zone and were snapping the puck around in a way that was reminiscent of the team that won 55 games in the regular season.

It just didn’t entirely translate to the scoreboard. Not until late in the second period, at least.

Here are three ways the Avs can improve in Game 2 and gain their first 2-0 series lead since 2022.

At times, the first period felt like a massive victory for the visiting Kings. Their squad isn’t as talented as the Avalanche. They don’t score as often, they don’t always defend as well (albeit recently they’ve been much better), and they’re riding a hot goalie that, for their sake, hopefully doesn’t fizzle out too soon.

In those opening 20 minutes, the Kings were outshot, but they threw their bodies around. They played a great road period to open a series and were excellent on the penalty kill for two minutes.

Then came the second period, and we saw the Avalanche start skating and moving like they usually do. This time around, it would be wise to get that going quicker. Build a lead early and have the Kings start chasing for more than just 25 minutes.

That last one ties into this. Kings goalie Anton Forsberg only faced nine shots in the opening period, and that included the two-minute PK against an Avs top unit that had been better as of late when healthy (like they are now).

In the second, the Avs had six shots before the period was five minutes old. They started getting in the crease, battling with defenders, and made Forsberg’s job more difficult.

The disallowed goal was a good example of this — even if it didn’t end in Colorado’s favor. Jack Drury skated to the crease to set a screen and cause havoc. The contact with Drew Doughty and Forsberg is what led to the no-goal play. But it was still the right idea.

More of this, earlier in the game, to get Forsberg moving a lot sooner than they did.

This one is obvious and has been one a main talking point pretty much since October.

The power play needs to produce. Those two minutes they had on their second opportunity were spectacular. They didn’t score, but they generated chances, they moved the puck well, and they kept the PKers guessing. More of that.

I still look at that late third-period PP as a missed opportunity. Before the Kings pulled their goalie, Martin Necas had a big opportunity that hit the crossbar and went up into the netting. If the game was tied, that would’ve been a moment to remember. It could’ve also been a point of reflection had the Kings managed to tie it up afterwards.

Those are the plays they need to take advantage of. Getting the PP going, with the limited opportunities teams get in the postseason, is going to be huge.

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