Avalanche scrape out must-win vs Kings
The Kings' Alexander Frolov tied it with 1:21 left to send it to OT, but the Avalanche held strong in the Shootout for a much-needed win
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The Avalanche have played two games against the LA Kings this season. Both were played in Los Angeles where the Kings have dominated all year. Now the Kings come to Colorado for the first of two games in Denver.
The first game in the season series was a 0-3 Avalanche loss going into the Olympic break. The whole team had a bad game from Craig Anderson to a sluggish attack incapable of holding the offensive zone. The second game, played on Monday night, was a much more even affair despite the Avalanche playing tired in the 3rd period after a rough blowout loss the night before at Anaheim. An even game through 3 netted the Avalanche a point before the Kings simply overwhelmed an exhaused Colorado squad in OT.
That history in mind, the Avalanche came into this game needing two points and a win against a fellow playoff team. (Not to mention the sardine-can tight Western Conference playoff field.) So a goal by the Avalanche’s fourth line in the opening half of the 1st Period was as crucial as any score this season.
The Kings tied the game on a goal by Anze Kopitar at the half-way mark in the first to tie it up, and despite a 3-1 Avalanche lead to close out the opening frame you got the feeling that this would be another back-and-forth game. The Kings confirmed that fact with a PP goal in the first 0:20 of the third period.
In fact, the rest of the third saw equal scoring chances for each team going into the final five minutes. That was roughly when the Kings kicked up their game about three notches, eliciting a a penalty just inside the three-minute mark. LA continued pressing, eventually pulling their goaltender to create a 6 on 4 advantage with a minute and a half remaining. The results were almost instantaneous, as a high shot deflected twice to find its way into the Avalanche net. OT time again for LA & CO.
Flash back to two nights ago when the Avalanche tied the game at 3 with seven seconds remaining in the final period. Even if Colorado couldn’t find their legs in the Overtime, it was a big goal to grab a single point on the road. The late-game Alexander Frolov goal to knot it at 3 was just as big for the Kings on Wednesday night. Both of these teams are in the thick of that tight West playoff race, and it showed in every highly-contested minute of both games.
Los Angeles took their high 3rd Period energy into the Overtime, pressing all four skaters into the Avalanche zone with impressive determination. As a result, the Avalanche got a number of rush chances, but never pressed more than three players on the attack. Colorado seemed confident in its ability to either generate the game-winning goal on the rush, or outscore the Kings in the Shootout.
Shootout Recap:
CO-Hejduk: Save
LA-Kopitar: Save
CO-Mueller: Goal
LA-Johnson: Goal
CO-Stewart: Goal
LA-Smyth: Save (by the post)
As tight a game as you’ll see between evenly-matched teams, and an entertaining reminder that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are just around the corner.
