Entering today the Colorado Avalanche had the opportunity to sweep their first round opponent and did just that in a 5-1 victory against the LA Kings. Goals from Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Nicolas Roy and Devon Toews set the stage for the early handshakes as this series wrapped up with little drama.
With their season on the line, the Kings got some early momentum out of the gate including two power plays. But they didn’t convert on either opportunity which was just an investment in future Avalanche power plays. And that is exactly what happened as Colorado received their first man advantage before the period was over and scored just 15 seconds into it when they collapsed on Los Angeles’ box and Nathan MacKinnon scored his first goal of the playoffs to put the Avalanche up 1-0.
That one-goal lead for Colorado stretched to two early in the second period as Cale Makar snuck up in the offensive zone and wired a quick wrist shot past Anton Forsberg. The Kings’ season was really on life support now with Colorado looking to run out the clock and wrap-up this game. However, before the end of the frame there was a hint of life for the Kings as Joel Edmundson took advantage of some lax defense, advanced in the offensive zone and put the puck past Scott Wedgewood. Colorado was still in the driver’s seat, though, still up 2-1 at that point.
While that glimmer of hope may have simmered for the Kings during the second intermission, the Avalanche doused it quickly in the third period with strikes from Nicolas Roy and Devon Toews. The Kings decided to pull their goaltender for the extra attacker with over five minutes left but MacKinnon added another goal to Colorado’s totals. With a 5-1 victory secured the Avalanche will be moving on to the second round.
At that point with five minutes left in the game it was time to show Kings captain Anze Kopitar appreciation for his successful 20-year career and give him the space to give his final farewell to the Kings fans in attendance and watching from all over the world. Congratulations, Anze! The game of hockey will miss you.
The Kings put up a valiant fight but the reality always has been this series set up as just the appetizer to the main course that’s to come for Colorado in a second round showdown with either the Dallas Stars or Minnesota Wild. A power play goal and Nathan MacKinnon appearing on the scoresheet were good to see before this series wrapped up as both will need to make frequent appearances as the Avalanche move forward.
Colorado should get a full week off to heal some bumps and bruises but how they manage rest vs. rust will be something to monitor moving forward.
A long wait to start the second round series against either Dallas or Minnesota who are currently locked into a 2-2 tie in their series.