Avalanche Wraps Up Set vs. Kings with Afternoon Affair

The Colorado Avalanche faces off against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday in its first home matinee game of the season. It is the second contest of a two-game set at Ball Arena between the clubs and the sixth consecutive matchup on home ice for the Avs.
Colorado (15-8-2) blanked Los Angeles (11-9-6) by a score of 2-0 in the first meeting of the two-game series on Friday, improving to 3-1-1 on its current homestand. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer registered his fourth clean sheet of the campaign as he stopped all 18 shots he faced, setting a new career-high in shutouts in a season. Mikko Rantanen tallied his team-leading 13th goal of the season and added on an assist--collecting his ninth multi-point contest on the year--while Nathan MacKinnon also found the back of the net for the sixth time.

The Kings were held scoreless in a full 60 minutes for the first time in over a year, dating back to Feb. 8, 2020 when the club lost 3-0 at the New Jersey Devils. Netminder Cal Petersen fought off 44-of-45 shots, the most saves he has made in a single game in his career.

Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings

Ball Arena | Denver, Colo.
| Game Time: | 3:30 p.m. MDT | | --- | --- | | TV: | NBCSN | | Radio: | Altitude Sports Radio, FM 92.5 (KKSE) | | Live Streams: | NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, Official app (blackouts apply to all) | | Online Audio: | Listen Live Here | | Follow: | @Avalanche, Official app, Gamecenter |

COLORADO-LOS ANGELES CONNECTIONS

Avalanche assistant coach Ray Bennett spent seven years as an assistant coach for the Kings (1999-2006) … Kings general manager Rob Blake played parts of five seasons with Colorado, winning a Stanley Cup with the Avs in 2001 … Los Angeles center Trevor Moore played at the University of Denver from 2013-2016.

HISTORY

The Avs hold an all-time 59-66-15 record against the Kings, including a 5-5-0 mark in their last 10 matchups. Sunday's meeting is the fourth contest of an eight-game season series between the squads this camapaign. Colorado hosts L.A. for the final time this year for a two-game set on April 16-18.
The franchises have met twice in the postseason (2001, 2002). Colorado defeated Los Angeles in seven games during its 2001 Stanley Cup run in the Western Conference Semifinals and then went on to beat the Kings in seven games in the 2002 Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Gabriel Landeskog leads the current Avalanche roster with eight goals and 12 assists in 31 career games versus the Kings, while Mikko Rantanen (seven goals, eight assists) and Nathan MacKinnon (five goals, 10 assists) are tied for second on the current squad.

ROSTER REPORT

Colorado had an off day on Saturday, so its lineup likely won't be known until closer to game time. The club has utilized the same roster for two straight games and could go with the same squad on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE

Bowen Byram (upper body), J.T. Compher (upper body), Dennis Gilbert (upper body), Cale Makar (upper body) and Conor Timmins (upper body) are all day-to-day with injuries. Byram and Compher skated in red, non-contact jerseys at Friday's morning skate while Gilbert was a full participant. Pavel Francouz (lower body) and Erik Johnson (upper body) are both out long term with injuries.

SCOUTING THE KINGS

The Kings special team units have been a focal point for their success thus far, as the club's power-play (26.6 percent) ranks seventh in the NHL and its penalty-kill (83.5 percent) is the eighth best. Los Angeles has tallied a goal on the man advantage in 18 contests this season, owning an 8-5-5 mark in such games. In matchups that the club doesn't register a power-play marker, the Kings are 3-4-1.
Overall, Los Angeles holds an 11-9-6 record and is tied for the fifth spot in the West Division with the Arizona Coyotes (28 points). In its last 10 games, the Kings own a 4-3-3 mark and are 5-3-2 in its previous 10 contests on the road.

(OPPOSING) PLAYER TO WATCH: ANZE KOPITAR

The Los Angeles captain is in his 15th campaign with the organization and has recorded 981 points (340 goals and 641 assists) in 1,099 games, currently ranked fourth all-time in scoring for the franchise and third in assists. Against the Avs, the veteran has collected 17 goals and 34 helpers in 50 contests, which is the second most points against Colorado all time in an L.A. sweater behind hall of famer Luc Robitaille (52).
Through 26 games, Kopitar leads the Kings with 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) and is tied for eighth in the NHL in scoring. He has recorded the second-most points on the man advantage this year (19) and his 24 assists rank fifth (tied) in the league.

NUMBERS GAME

11

Colorado is a perfect 11-0-0 when heading into the third period with a lead. It is one of six teams in the NHL to remain undefeated when going into the final frame in front.

12

The Avalanche has outshot its opponents in 12 straight games and owns a 12-6-1 mark when putting more pucks on net this campaign. The squad's 12 victories when outshooting its opposition are tied for the most in the league.

50

Philipp Grubauer earned his 50th-career win in an Avs sweater on Friday and his 14th victory of the season. His 50 wins are the sixth most in Avalanche history (since 1995-96) his 14 this year rank tied for second in the NHL.

NOTEBOOK

Colorado has held its opponents to less than 30 shots 15 straight matchups, setting a new franchise record for consecutive games without allowing 30 shots.… The Avs are the first team to outshoot their opponents by 60 shots in a two-game span since the Bruins in March 1991… The Avs sport an 8-4-1 record on home ice this campaign… Colorado has recorded 46 shots on goal in consecutive outings for the first time in franchise history… The Avalanche has surrendered an average of 24.9 shots per game, ranking first in the league, while its 2.36 goals-against per game average ranks fifth in the NHL… Devon Toews has notched a point in two straight games for the third time this year and has found the scoresheet in five out of his last seven contests… The Avs have played two road day contests so far (1-1-0), although the outdoor game didn't finish until well into the night ... The Avalanche finished 4-0-0 in afternoon games last season, 2-0-0 at home ... Colorado is 11-3-1 in home afternoon games since the start of 2017-18.