LA Kings play best game of the year, top Avalanche 4-2

In Game Two of their matchup, the LA Kings had a much better start to the first period than the first game against the Colorado Avalanche. Here’s the breakdown of the game.

1st Period

The LA Kings started off much better in Game Two, with both Drew Doughty and Blake Lizotte hitting the post on shot attempts. After the first ten minutes, the momentum shifted in Colorado’s favor, as Los Angeles committed their first penalty of the game. The Kings killed it off, but it was enough for the Avalanche to establish their pace of play. Under two minutes to go in the period, Lizotte was called for hooking, and the Avs didn’t take long to score — MacKinnon had some nifty stick work before sniping a shot past Jonathan Quick.

2nd Period

Todd McLellan made some changes heading out of the locker room. Olli Maatta and Mikey Anderson were swapped in the defensive pairings, and while it was a small sample size, Drew Doughty had an excellent period. With a five-on-three advantage, Doughty sniped a shot past Colorado netminder Hunter Miska.

Jonathan Quick had a couple of nice saves early on in the second period, keeping the Kings in the game. After Doughty scored, the LA Kings had new life and started to control the puck a bit more. On their second power play of the period, Gabe Vilardi fired a shot from the right dot into the back of the net.

3rd Period

Mikey Anderson had an interesting quote earlier this week, indicating that good teams find a way to play with a lead. I’m not saying the Kings are in that category yet but coming back from a two-goal deficit in the first period (and holding the lead) to grab their first win of the season — against a team like the Avalanche — has to be a huge confidence booster. Now the Kings will travel on the road for the first time this year.