avalanche Grind Out Victory Over Kings, But Power Play Remains a Concern
Denver, CO – December 30, 2025 - The Colorado Avalanche continue to demonstrate their championship mettle, extending their notable winning streak to eight games with a 5-2 victory over the Los angeles Kings on Monday night. While not a showcase of offensive brilliance, this win exemplifies the Avs’ ability to find ways to secure victories, even when facing adversity. let’s break down how they did it, and what areas still need attention.
A Tale of Two Special Teams
The game was a study in contrasts, especially when it came to special teams. Colorado’s defence largely held strong, but their power play continues to struggle, a recurring theme this season.Simultaneously occurring, the kings managed to capitalize on the Avalanche’s penalty kill, a surprising turn of events given Colorado’s typically dominant performance in that area.
Here’s a rapid look at the key takeaways:
* Avs Power Play Woes: Just 2 power-play goals in the last five games is a clear area for advancement.
* Kings’ Shorthanded Success: Los Angeles scored two shorthanded goals,exposing a vulnerability in the Avalanche’s offensive zone coverage.
* Even Strength Dominance: During this eight-game streak, Colorado has outscored opponents 30-11 at even strength, proving their 5-on-5 game is elite.
Second Period Surge Propels Colorado
The Avalanche took control in the second period, fueled by a persistent push and capitalizing on a Kings’ miscue. Martin Necas and Brock Nelson both found the back of the net,giving Colorado a agreeable lead.
* Necas’ Persistence Pays Off: Necas scored his third goal in two games after a prolonged offensive zone presence, taking advantage of a lost stick by Kings forward Trevor Moore. The play involved a scramble in front of the net, ultimately resulting in a tap-in for Necas at 13:21.
* Nelson’s Sniper Shot: Just over four minutes later, Brock Nelson unleashed a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, beating the Kings’ goaltender clean for his 15th goal of the season. The play was set up beautifully by Joel Kiviranta and Samuel Girard, who is enjoying a hot streak with points in four straight and nine in his last eight.
Kings battle Back,But Avs Respond
despite the two-goal cushion,the Kings didn’t go quietly. They managed to score a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal, keeping the game within reach.
* Kings capitalize on Early Power Play: Kevin Fiala found Corey Perry for a tap-in at the edge of the crease, briefly tying the game at 1-1.
* Shorthanded Surprise: Joel Armia stole the puck in the Colorado zone and raced down the ice, surprising Mackenzie Blackwood with a shot from the high slot to make it a 3-2 game.
Late Goals Seal the Deal
As the Kings pressed for an equalizer, the Avalanche sealed the victory with goals from nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the final minutes.
* MacKinnon Extends Lead: Nathan mackinnon scored into an empty net, extending his league-leading goal total to 32.
* Makar Caps it Off: Cale Makar added a late goal to break open the contest,solidifying the 5-2 final score.
Goaltending and Injury Updates
Mackenzie Blackwood was solid in net for the Avalanche,stopping 23 of 25 shots. On the Kings’ side, Anton Forsberg faced a tough challenge, filling in for Darcy Kuemper, who remains sidelined after a collision with former teammate Mikko Rantanen two weeks ago.
What This Means for You, the Avalanche Fan
This win is a testament to the Avalanche’s depth and resilience. However, if you’re looking for sustained playoff success, the power play must improve. You want to see the Avs converting on those opportunities, not allowing shorthanded goals.
The team is clearly dominant at even strength, and Blackwood is providing reliable goaltending. Addressing the special teams issues will elevate this already formidable team to an even higher level.
Looking Ahead: The Avalanche
Worth a look