The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings for Game 1 of their first-round series at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:15 pm MT and will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
The Avalanche are fully healthy and ready to flex their depth after a successful, franchise record-breaking regular season. Parker Kelly will open the playoffs in the top six, switching spots with Ross Colton, who will play with Jack Drury and Logan O’Connor. Colorado also boasts arguably the most talented third line in the league on paper, with center Nazem Kadri playing between wingers Gabe Landeskog and Nic Roy.
The Kings are missing Kevin Fiala for the season, but a returning Andrei Kuzmenko should help spark their offense. Kuzmenko hasn’t played since Feb. 25 but was reactivated off injury reserve on Saturday. The 30-year-old forward has 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games. Los Angeles has no other injuries heading into the postseason.
Neither starting goalie is confirmed for the matinee puck drop to open the series. But there’s a big chance that the two guys who have carried the “starter” label, Mackenzie Blackwood and Darcy Kuemper, will both back up. Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood and Kings goalie Anton Forsberg have been the better goalies and are likely to go head-to-head to open this series.
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin NecasParker Kelly — Brock Nelson — Valeri NichushkinGabriel Landeskog — Nazem Kadri — Nicolas RoyRoss Colton — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale MakarBrent Burns — Josh MansonBrett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Please consider donating to the Colorado Hockey Now Playoff Travel Fund to help our beat writer provide coverage from road games: PAYPAL or VENMO
Artemi Panarin — Anze Kopitar — Adrian KempeTrevor Moore — Quinton Byfield — Alex LaferriereJoel Armia —Scott Laughton — Andrei KuzmenkoMathieu Joseph — Samuel Helenius — Jared Wright
Mikey Anderson— Drew DoughtyJoel Edmundson — Brandt ClarkeBrian Dumoulin — Cody Ceci
TV: TNT, truTV, and HBO Max, Altitude Sports (locally)
Game 4: at Los Angeles Kings (April 26 at 2:30 pm MT)
The post Los Angeles Kings at Avalanche Game 1: Playoffs Begin, Lines, Notes & How To Watch appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.