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LOS ANGELES — Devon Toews scored with 4:55 remaining in the third period, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. The win marked the Avalanche’s league-leading 40th of the season, a significant milestone for a team aiming for another deep playoff run. The game also represented a challenging debut for new Kings coach D.J. Smith, who took the helm after Jim Hiller’s dismissal on Sunday.
Toews’ decisive goal came on a return pass from Nathan MacKinnon, capitalizing on an opening in the slot and shooting past Anton Forsberg. Martin Necas then sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds, bringing the final score to 4-2. The Avalanche’s victory wasn’t just about securing the win; it was about demonstrating resilience against a Kings team playing with heightened desperation following a coaching change.
MacKinnon, who leads the NHL in goals, added to his tally with his 41st goal of the season, while Gabriel Landeskog contributed a goal and two assists. Mackenzie Blackwood proved solid in net for Colorado, stopping 19 shots. The Avalanche (40-10-9) have now won five of their last seven games, solidifying their position as a top contender in the Western Conference. Colorado is the first team in the NHL to reach 40 wins this season, a feat they’ve accomplished four times since relocating in 1995-96, with Stanley Cup victories following two of those seasons (2000-01, 2021-22).
Kings Face Challenges in Smith’s Debut
The Kings, under the direction of interim coach D.J. Smith, fought hard but ultimately fell short. Brandt Clarke scored a power-play goal, and Angus Booth marked his NHL debut with a goal, providing bright spots for the home team. Forsberg made 35 saves, a testament to the Avalanche’s offensive pressure. However, Los Angeles was significantly hampered by a rash of injuries and illnesses, forcing them to ice a lineup featuring three players making their NHL debuts: Booth, center Kenny Connors, and winger Jared Wright.
Among those absent for the Kings were key players like defenseman Drew Doughty, forward Joel Armia, and goalie Darcy Kuemper, all of whom participated in the recent Milan Cortina Olympic hockey tournament. “Anytime you play against a team that’s just made a change like that, you know there’s going to be some heightened desperation there,” Landeskog said, acknowledging the added challenge posed by the Kings’ situation.
Early Avalanche Pressure, Kings Respond
The Avalanche came out strong, scoring twice in the opening 10:13 of the game. MacKinnon and Landeskog both found the back of the net on one-timers, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead. The Kings responded late in the first period with Clarke’s power-play goal, injecting some life into the game.
The second period saw a flurry of activity, including a disallowed goal for Necas due to an early whistle. Booth then tied the game at 2-2 at the 8:32 mark, skillfully tipping in a centering pass from Brian Dumoulin. The game remained tied until Toews’ late goal broke the deadlock.
Looking Ahead
The Avalanche will continue their road trip with a visit to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. The Kings, meanwhile, will return home to host the New York Islanders on Thursday. The Kings will be looking to build on the positives from Monday’s game and integrate their new coach as they navigate a challenging stretch of the season.
The Avalanche’s achievement of reaching 40 wins first this season underscores their consistent performance and championship aspirations. As captain Gabriel Landeskog noted, “We haven’t done anything yet,” emphasizing the team’s focus on continued improvement and preparation for the playoffs.
Share your thoughts on the Avalanche’s dominant season and the Kings’ coaching change in the comments below.
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