LOS ANGELES — Devon Toews scored the tiebreaking purpose late within the third interval, Martin Necas added an empty-netter to go along with two assists, and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Monday night time.
Toews acquired free within the slot and transformed Nathan MacKinnon’s go with 4:55 remaining to assist the Avalanche (40-10-9) turn into the primary NHL staff with 40 wins this season.
MacKinnon additionally scored his league-leading forty first purpose, and Gabriel Landeskog had a purpose and two assists. Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves for Colorado, which has received 5 of seven.
Brandt Clarke had a power-play purpose, Angus Sales space scored in his NHL debut, and Anton Forsberg made 35 saves for the Kings, who have been enjoying their first recreation since firing coach Jim Hiller on Sunday and changing him on an interim foundation with D.J. Smith.
Los Angeles was additionally lacking seven key gamers due to harm or sickness, together with medalists from the Olympic hockey match on the Milan Cortina Video games in defenseman Drew Doughty, ahead Joel Armia and goalie Darcy Kuemper. These absences led to the Kings giving three gamers their NHL debuts in Sales space, middle Kenny Connors and winger Jared Wright.
The Avalanche capitalized early, scoring twice within the opening 10:13 on one-timers from MacKinnon and Landeskog, earlier than Los Angeles responded with a power-play purpose from Clarke late within the first interval.
An early whistle worn out Necas placing in a rebound early within the second, and Sales space acquired to the highest of the crease to tip in Brian Dumoulin’s centering go to tie it 2-all at 8:32.
Avalanche: Go to the Anaheim Geese on Tuesday.
Kings: Host the New York Islanders on Thursday.
