3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 5-1 Game 4 Win Over the Kings – The Hockey Writers –

Following its Game 3 win, the Colorado Avalanche entered Sunday with the Los Angeles Kings on the ropes. Already one of the hottest teams in the NHL coming into the playoffs, the Avalanche handled business without the typical offensive fireworks we have come to know them for.

That was not a question in Game 4. The Avalanche smothered the Kings for two periods before finally opening the floodgates. The Avalanche crushed the Kings 5-1, completing the sweep and moving on to the next round.

Thank You, Kopi

The most notable thing about Sunday aside from the completion of the sweep is the final game in the career of the legendary Anze Kopitar. The 38-year-old Slovenian announced that this would be his final season some time ago, and the Kings managed to give him one last crack at another Stanley Cup, abbreviated as that chance may have been.

Kopitar goes out as one of the greatest players in franchise history. He has done it all across his 1,521-game career with the Kings: 452 goals, 1,316 points, a pair of Selke Trophy wins as the NHL’s best defensive forward, three Lady Byng awards as the most gentlemanly player, and a pair of Stanley Cup championships.

When talking about the great two-way centers of the 2010s, Kopitar’s name will be right at the top of the list. He has been the face of the Kings for nearly two decades, leading them to unprecedented heights as their captain. From every fan who has had the privilege of watching him through the years: Thank you, Kopi.

The Superstars Come to Life

Colorado’s superstars had been relatively quiet through the first three games of the series. If anything, it demonstrated the versatility the Avalanche have, being able to win even when their best players aren’t at their best.

That wasn’t the case on Sunday, however. Nathan MacKinnon had his best game of the series, scoring twice and adding an assist on a third period goal by Devon Toews. Cale Makar scored his second of the series, a highlight reel goal that made it feel like the game was out of reach early in the second period.

The Avalanche continue to get contributions from throughout the lineup, but these are the two pistons that drive the Avalanche engine. Getting them on track just as the team heads into a major battle in the second round is critical to their chances.

What a Series for Scott Wedgewood

Though the Kings rarely felt like a real threat, Scott Wedgewood was there to turn them aside in the rare instances in which they felt dangerous. To say that he had himself a series would be an understatement, to say the least.

Wedgewood won all four games, posting a spotless 1.21 goals-against average and .950 save percentage by turning aside 96 of the 101 shots he faced. Two goals in Game 3 is the “blemish” on his series, a demonstration of just how excellent he was.

Team defense has been great, but Wedgewood has been outstanding in bursts when called upon. In a matchup where the opponent’s goaltending will be great, the Avalanche now seem to have a weapon in net that can go toe-to-toe with them.

Preparing for Battle

Now, the Avalanche wait for the dust to settle on the Minnesota Wild-Dallas Stars series. Currently tied 2-2, that series has all the makings of a seven-game war. The Avalanche will sit back and wait for the winner in the next round.

The key will be to remain sharp and focused on the ultimate goal. It would be all too easy to come out flat in Game 1 of the next round, and the Avalanche don’t need to give the opposition any kind of edge in a series like that.