Game 3 has been played in the Stanley Cup Playoff first-round series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche, with the Avs winning 4-2. Artturi Lehkonen scored a big short-handed goal for the dagger in the third period. The Avalanche have a 3-0 lead in the series and look to advance to the second round as early as Sunday. Game 4 will be on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), or 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in Los Angeles. It could be Anze Kopitar‘s final NHL game, if the Kings indeed get swept.
Kings vs Avalanche: A Very Tight Defensive Series
Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Press Wire
It has been a very low-scoring series thus far, with just 12 goals scored in the first three contests. That is how the Kings play to a tee, but Colorado has been able to adapt and score timely goals. It has been a defensive clinic by both teams, with stifling play and hard checking in the neutral zone. Entertainment value is low, but the Kings have to do whatever they need to do to give themselves a chance.
Avalanche Have Advantages in Puck Possession and Depth
As expected, the Avs have the upper hand in this series, getting a decent shot advantage as well as holding the puck often. A big reason for this is, of course, the top-end talent that Colorado possesses. Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Gabriel Landeskog are dangerous as always, but the depth that the Avalanche have has scored big goals. Logan O’Connor and Nicolas Roy, two players in the bottom six, chipped in on the scoreboard, the latter scoring the overtime goal in Game 2. For L.A., outside of the top line of Artemi Panarin, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe, have not been very noticeable.
Power Play is a Concern for the Avalanche Going Forward
One strange stat for the Avalanche throughout the season has been their abysmal power play. It has carried over into the playoffs, as they have not scored a power play goal in nine opportunities. The power play has been predictable, as the Kings’ defenders know to cover Nathan MacKinnon as much as possible. They will need to change things up going into the next game, as well as future rounds, should they advance.
Goaltenders Have Been the Star of the Show
The low-scoring games can also be attributed to strong goaltending. Both Scott Wedgewood (1.28 goals-against average, .947 save percentage) and Anton Forsberg (2.28 goals-against average, .922 save percentage) have shown just how good they can be, giving their teams a chance to win every game. Wedgewood, especially, has continued to show that his Vezina Trophy-calibre season has not been a fluke, backstopping Colorado to three-straight victories.
Looking Ahead
As mentioned, Game 4 will be on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. The Avalanche will have the chance to move on to Round Two to face either the Dallas Stars or Minnesota Wild. Dallas currently has a 2-1 lead in the series. It will surely be an electric second-round matchup, but the Avalanche still need to finish the job here. The Kings will give them all they can handle until the very end. They will do it for Anze Kopitar, who may be playing his final NHL game on Sunday.
Main Photo Credit: Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
