The Colorado Avalanche need to exact revenge on the LA Kings for the embarrassing 7-1 loss at home.
The Colorado Avalanche brutally gave up a point to the Anaheim Ducks last night. We can’t focus on the blown third-period lead except to learn from it. However, that does make the LA Kings game all the more important.
Unfortunately, this was the game that was going to be tough for Colorado to win. First of all, it’s the second game of a back-to-back for the Avs. LA meanwhile has been resting at home. Second, this is the game in which the loss of both Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov to injury sinks in — they have a tendency to play crazy in that game.
Most of all, though, Colorado hasn’t won against LA this season. And the Kings are fighting for playoff positioning somewhat in the Avalanche’s space. And Colorado lost 7-1 to LA just a couple weeks ago.
Let’s focus on that first.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: April 2, 8:30 pm MT
TV Networks: Altitude (Avs feed), SN, SN1 (Kings feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)
Revenge for the Colorado Avalanche
Kings forward Terry Mitchell thinks the Avs will use that March 22 game as extra motivation:
"“They’ve responded well since then, they’ve won some big games. But I’m sure they’ve got this one circled on the schedule, try to get some revenge."
While it’s true the Avalanche players can take extra motivation from that embarrassing 7-1 loss at home, they can’t dwell. Truthfully, they need to treat tonight’s game like business as usual.
That said, even in the dreadful 2016-17 the Avs managed to beat LA once. They should be able to do so in this year’s much-improved season.
Nathan. MacKinnon. Must. Score.
That is all. I know Nathan MacKinnon is getting points, and he set up Tyson Jost for a big goal last night. However, our very best player must score.
Here’s more on that topic:
Related Story: MacKinnon Must Score
It would be great if his linemates, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, scored, too.
Do That Hockey
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The Colorado Avalanche don’t always do that hockey, not for the full 60 minutes and not the full 200 feet of the ice. Last night, they let the Ducks off the ropes in the third period, and they paid the price.
Colorado is going to be tired today, especially in the third period. They need to jump into the action early. Hopefully they can earn a big lead going into the third period and not blow it.
What’s more, what happened to forechecking? Why is Tyson Jost the only Av being aggressive on the forecheck? Well, Jost and his fellow Tyson, “defenseman” Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche could try being aggressive on the puck — especially since the Kings are such a possession team.
Finally, another as always: Colorado needs to clean up their passing. At one point last night I questioned whether the Ducks’ jerseys actually functioned like the black paint of stealth bombers, rendering them invisible. How else to explain the Avs constantly passing right to Anaheim players?
Next: Every Night is the Biggest of the Season
As has been every game for at least a week, this is a must-win situation for the Colorado Avalanche. Yes, this had been a great turnaround season from last year. However, I have money set aside for playoff hockey, and I want to spend it.