NHL Playoffs Preview: Avalanche vs. Kings
The NHL playoffs are set to kick off with an exciting matchup featuring the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. This series opener will take place in Denver at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday.
Team Records and Performance
The Avalanche, leading the Central Division with a record of 55 wins, 16 losses, and 11 overtime losses, stand as formidable opponents, having already defeated the Kings in all three of their regular-season encounters this year, including a March 2 victory of 4-2.
As for the Kings, competing in the Pacific Division, their overall record currently sits at 35 wins, 27 losses, and 20 overtime losses. With a respectable away record of 20-10-11, they thrive when they score three or more goals, posting an impressive 26-4-11 record in those games.
Key Players
In terms of firepower, the Avalanche are led by Martin Necas, who has recorded 38 goals and 61 assists this season. Nathan MacKinnon has also been a key contributor recently, collecting ten points in his last ten games. The Kings, meanwhile, rely on the talents of Artemi Panarin, who has tallied 28 goals and 56 assists. Adrian Kempe has also stepped up, scoring ten goals in his last ten games.
Recent Performance
When examining recent performance, the Avalanche have secured a solid 7-2-1 record in their last ten outings, averaging 3.3 goals and 5.7 assists per game while allowing just 1.9 goals. The Kings also show promise with a 6-2-2 record in their recent games, averaging 3.1 goals but giving up slightly more, at 2.8 goals against per game.
Injury Concerns
Both teams come into the playoffs dealing with injury concerns. The Avalanche list Nazem Kadri and Josh Manson as day-to-day due to minor injuries, while the Kings are missing Kevin Fiala for the remainder of the season due to a leg injury, alongside other players who are nursing various ailments.
Conclusion
With both teams looking to find their footing in the postseason, fans can expect an electrifying start to the NHL playoffs as these two teams battle it out for a chance to advance further in the tournament.
