3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 2-1 Game 2 Win Over the Kings – The Hockey Writers –

Coming into the opening round series against the Los Angeles Kings, to say that the Colorado Avalanche were favored heavily would be putting it lightly. But after a tight 2-1 win in Game 1, it looked like maybe the Avalanche were in for more of a series than they bargained for.

Until the final stages of Game 2, it looked like the Kings might steal one in Denver. After a late tying goal, Nicolas Roy’s heroics sent the hometown crowd home happy as the Avalanche won 2-1 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Best Goaltending in the Playoffs

The thing that jumps out about this series is the goaltending on both sides. It isn’t a surprise that Scott Wedgewood has become an x-factor in this series, and he has been excellent through two games, allowing just two combined goals on 50 total shots, including a few premium chances from the Kings’ Quinton Byfield.

The surprise, however, has been Anton Forsberg of the Kings. For the second consecutive game, he was excellent. He turned aside 34 of 36 Avalanche shots, both goals coming from breakdowns in front that left him without much of a chance.

Both teams have struggled to solve the other netminder, and it looks like each game in this series is going to come down to one or two mistakes. So far, Wedgewood has been statistically better, but Forsberg has come close to stealing both games in Colorado.

The Stars are Having a Tough Time

One of the things that jumps out in the two wins has been the near absence of scoring from the superstars of this team. The Avalanche were built in a way that allows them to win through different means, but this team was built primarily on its star power.

Nathan MacKinnon has one assist through two games. Ditto for Martin Necas. Cale Makar has been held off the score sheet. The Avalanche have depended on their depth to get them through but the stars will need to come out if the Avalanche want to go on a run.

That said, it’s not as if the Big Three have entirely disappeared. They combined for nine shots in Game 1 and a dozen in Game 2. A few of those were good looks that became a simple statistic for the very sturdy Forsberg. It feels like they are on the verge of breaking through and it could be what opens the flood gates.

The Avalanche Brought a Physical Side to Their Game

The Kings mucked Game 1 up a bit, winning the hitting battle even in a losing effort. The Avalanche took notice and came out with one of their most physical games in recent memory in Game 2, out-hitting the Kings 29-23.

Josh Manson has been a standout physical presence in this series with nine hits so far, but it was Brent Burns who stood out in Game 2.  Burns through several heavy hits, following them up with a forearm or two, as he dished out four official hits on the night.

Gabriel Landeskog (who tied the game late in the third) and Joel Kiviranta were both playing a heavier game as well, and it made a difference. For all the criticisms of the Avalanche offense, they have largely held the Kings in check aside from a few moments here and there.

A Chance to Put a Stranglehold on the Series

The Avalanche have yet to play an A+ game but still took both games at home. The Kings will no doubt come out hot in Game 3 in front of their home crowd and with their very playoff lives on the line.

If the Avalanche can find a way to fight through and get their stars on the board, they could effectively put the series to rest with a win in Game 3. It should be reassuring to the Avalanche that they are still in this position without having truly played their best.