Adaptable Avalanche take 2-0 series lead to LA as Kings smother Colorado’s high-powered attack
Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche have every right to feel a bit stifled. The highest-scoring, fastest-flying team on the ice this season just can't seem to completely solve the lock-down, muck-up-the-middle approach of the Los Angeles Kings. The top five point producers in the regular season for Colorado have yet to find the back of the net.
DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche have every right to feel a bit stifled. Known for their speed and prodigious goal production, it hasn't been on full display so far in the playoffs. The highest-scoring, fastest-flying team on the ice this season just can't seem to completely solve the lock-down, muck-up-the-middle approach of the Los Angeles Kings .
The top five point producers in the regular season for Colorado have yet to find the back of the net. Still, the Avalanche lead the first-round series 2-0 heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday. They have won both games in 2-1 fashion, including an OT thriller , which highlights their belief that whether a game or a series is low scoring or high scoring, they are built for both.
“You definitely can get frustrated during the regular season, but playoffs … there’s no time for that,” said MacKinnon, who has an assist through two games after leading the league with 53 goals in the regular season. “You've got to be 100% in, team-player positive, and you’ve just got to stick with it. I feel like we’re doing a lot of good things and we’re up to it.
It's low-scoring games, but it’s not about the amount of goals. Just got to get some wins. " Colorado led the league in goals per game (3.