Colorado Avalanche lose grasp on LA Kings, fall 2-1 in overtime

Games between the Colorado Avalanche and LA Kings tend to be tight low scoring affairs and this game was no different.

After a scoreless first period in which the Avalanche won the shot battle 11-5 and the possession battle at 57% CF, the two teams traded ineffective power plays in the first half of the second period.

Then a great shift for Colorado's top line lead to Gabe Landeskog cashing in at 11:14 with a laser of a shot that beat Jonathan Quick over the shoulder.

The Kings batted back with a screened shot from Alec Martinez at 10:36 and the game held serve in a tie despite the Kings' best efforts to finally put some pressure on with 59% CF that period, though shots were even at 11 each.

In overtime, the Avalanche started off sloppy and Dustin Brown ended the game quickly with the dagger 44 seconds into the extra frame on the night of his 1000th career NHL game.

Takeaways

The disappointing end leaves a sour taste on the night but it was a mostly well-played game by the Avalanche. They held the possession and the bulk of the game from one of the best teams in the league and still ended up at 50% CF and outshot the Kings 32-27. Also, despite giving up the tying goal, the Avalanche were able to get the game into overtime.

Although special teams were not a factor in this game, they are becoming a story for the Avalanche. Their road power play woes continue with a scoreless streak reaching 0-19. Their zone entries seem ok but they have a tough time holding possession and getting dangerous shots off despite generating six shots on the man advantage tonight. Conversely, the penalty kill has not given up a goal in seven games and the last 18 tries.

Erik Johnson returns from his suspension in the next contest and the Avalanche will be faced with lineup decisions. Will they go back to the seven defensemen set up or not? Nail Yakupov had a bad delay of game penalty late in this game and did not see the ice after that so coach Jared Bednar might have an easier decision on who to take out of the lineup. Bednar somehow trusts Anton Lindholm in defensive situations but he's been a disaster in possession again clocking in as the low man on the team in this game with just 23% CF and the lowest active member on the team at 44% CF overall. Those seem to be the likely candidates for a scratch but Bednar might have other ideas.

Upcoming

The Avalanche conclude their two game road trip and play their final game before the holiday break in Arizona to face the Coyotes at 6pm MT on Saturday, December 23rd.