The Colorado Avalanche head to Los Angeles with a 2–0 series lead, putting the Kings in a must-win situation as the series shifts to Game 3.
MORE: ESPN shares NHL star rankings with surprising Connor McDavid landing spot
Colorado has taken firm control early, winning Game 1 (2–1) and Game 2 (2–1 in overtime) to grab a 2–0 series advantage.
The Game 2 win was especially dramatic, with a late tying goal from Gabriel Landeskog before an overtime winner sealed the comeback, continuing a pattern of tight, low-scoring games. Despite the losses, Los Angeles has remained competitive; both games have been decided by a single goal, with strong goaltending from Anton Forsberg keeping them within reach.
Statistically, Colorado holds clear advantages that have shown up in the series. The Avalanche averaged 3.6 goals per game during the season compared to the Kings’ 2.7, while also allowing fewer goals (2.43 vs. 2.90) and generating significantly more shots. Led by stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Colorado’s depth and offensive pressure have consistently tilted the ice, even in close games. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has relied on structure, defense, and opportunistic scoring from players like Artemi Panarin and Anze Kopitar, but will need more offensive production to avoid falling into a 3–0 hole.
With the series shifting to home ice, the Kings’ urgency rises, while the Avalanche looks to maintain control in what has so far been a tightly contested but clearly tilted matchup.
This is a great NHL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live Stream Avalanche vs Kings with DIRECTV: Start your free trial now!
With DIRECTV, you can catch all of the NHL Playoffs without cable on your phone, TV, or tablet. They offer a wide array of sports and entertainment channels, including local sports packages and top national channels such as ABC, FOX, CBS, ESPN, FS1, MTV, Comedy Central, and more. The best part is you can try it out today for free.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —