Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings – Round 1 Game 3 (8:00 p.m.)

TL;DR

The Colorado Avalanche face the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1 Game 3 at 8:00 p.m. after winning both previous games at home. The Kings aim to secure a victory and capitalize on their surprising performance in the series.

Key points

Game 3 between Avalanche and Kings starts at 8:00 p.m.
Avalanche won both previous games at home.
Kings aim to secure a victory after strong performances.
Avalanche's depth players contributed significantly to their wins.
Kings hope to achieve an upset in tonight's game.

Colorado AvalancheLos Angeles Kings

city of fallen angels.

Some would argue the Kings have been surprisingly good so far this series, but tonight they hope to walk away with something to show for their efforts.

The Avalanche won both games at home, but it took some doing, and the victories came on contributions from (mainly) the depth pieces of their lineup.

Is tonight the night the Avalanche stunts their star power, or will the LA Kings make good on an upset where the ocean meets the sand?

Colorado Avalanche: 2-0

The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (0-2)

Time: 8:00 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, TNT

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM

Colorado Avalanche

A lot has been made of the Avalanche “playing the Kings game” in games one and two, but it should come as no surprise that this Avalanche team is committed to stout support and defensive structure.

The Avalanche is perfectly fine with playing low-scoring, tight-checking games. Nathan MacKinnon said so much after the game one victory, stating, “We pride ourselves on our defensive ability. I know that might surprise some people.”

Nonetheless, it’s possible to stay committed defensively and achieve more goals.

I have three keys to a Colorado Avalanche victory:

Score first.
Martin Necas must ‘shoot-first.’
Stay out of the penalty box.

The sit-back-and-wait approach only works against the Avalanche when they don’t have a lead, especially in a game where LA should be more desperate than in games one and two.

Martin Necas’ pass to Gabe Landeskog on Colorado’s tying goal in game two was a thing of beauty, but I want him to log a minimum of 3 SOG in the first period.