The Colorado Avalanche took Game 1 against the LA Kings by a final score of 2-1, and though they have an early series lead, Kings head coach DJ Smith isn’t sold on them—at least not yet.
Following the game, Smith asked a question that had me laughing.
“Are they going to continue to win scoring just 2 goals?”
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) April 19, 2026
- Kings Coach DJ Smith
The answer to that is simply “no.” However, if there is one team that is up to that task, it’s the Avalanche. Thought the Avs have only five wins in which they scored two or less goals, it’s a different animal in the postseason. It’s a best-of-7 series that demands the very best from each team.
I give kudos to the Kings in Game 1 for keeping the Avalanche to just two goals. Colorado has superb goaltending to keep them in these types of games.
That being said, I would be stunned if the Avs score just two goals in every remaining game against the Kings. They are not just top-heavy, but they have enough depth—enough to confidently have Ross Colton as a healthy scratch in Game 1 and have Joel Kiviranta playing instead.
The tougher the games are for the Avalanche, the harder they will continue to fight. They are a hungry team. They want to get back to the Stanley Cup Final, and they will do whatever it takes to get there.
One thing that was evident in Game 1 was the physicality between both teams. That is going to become a hot topic as the series goes on because, if it goes to seven games, that might be a negative thing for either team.
While I would like to see the Avalanche win each series undefeated, that isn’t likely. The home-ice advantage is going to come in huge for Colorado. Pretty much every single first-star of the game this year for the Avalanche mentions about the impact of home ice, and Avs Faithful needs to take advantage of it.
The Avalanche are undefeated after leading heading into the third period this season, which is remarkable. If they continue to have that down, there is very little chance that the Kings can come back, no matter if Colorado is up 1-0 or 2-1.
Scott Wedgewood proved to be the right goalie to start in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jared Bednar keeps him as the main goalie going forward.
In the end, Smith’s comment is bulletin board material for the rest of the series.
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