Game 1 went just about how most people expected… or did it?
As noted just about everywhere, most people outside of Los Angeles predicted Colorado will easily win this series. Those inside the LA locker room have an opinion that’s quite different. However, did Game 1 do anything to change opinions on either side? The Kings lost 2-1, with another close defeat in a season full of them.
While the Avs hold a 1-0 series lead heading into puck drop tonight, the Kings were not dominated as many would have thought. In fact, LA had several chances to tie or even take the lead in that contest. Drew Doughty and Artemi Panarin both missed open net chances, and a late offensive zone penalty cost the team a chance to tie things up late with an extra attacker.
Sure, those who thought Colorado would come out on top received their expected result to a certain extent, but the process most certainly surprised some people. If coach DJ Smith and his group can replicate that process tonight — and bury more of their grade-A chances — the Kings have a real shot at returning home with an even series.
And that’s the rub in all of this. If LA can get a split on the road, they at least have a fighting chance. Dropping Game 2, and going down 0-2 in the series, creates a near-impossible task of needing to beat Colorado in four of the next five. While mathematically not impossible, the odds would be extremely long. Maybe extremely isn’t even the right word.
Further examining what’s at stake, much of Colorado’s star power was held at bay in Game 1; that’s not likely to continue for much longer. The Kings need to score, and they need to score a lot to give them a chance in this series.
Lineup-wise, there could be some changes coming for Smith and the Kings — especially among the bottom-6 forwards. The fourth line struggled to get anything good going a few nights ago, which may lead to either Andrei Kuzmenko or Taylor Ward drawing in for some potential scoring punch. If Kuzmenko playing can make a difference offensively, he would instantly provide the Kings a greater chance of finding success in this series.
To put Kuzmenko into the mix after not playing a game since late February comes with a myriad of questions. Most importantly, where does he best fit? Slotting him into a top-6 role may feel a little panicked after just one game. Adding him to the third line (and dropping Jared Wright to RW4) is an option, but will Smith really want to mess with what’s been a very steady and effective trio, anchored by Scott Laughton?
This leads to the fourth line likely making the most sense for his initial return. Kuzmenko could also be double shifted on the power play to up his offensive minutes, taking advantage of his greatest strength. Tough decisions ahead.
Statistically Speaking
— Here’s a fun little note… Six LA players made their Kings debuts against the Avs: Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, and Brian Dumoulin on 10/7/25, Alex Laferriere on 10/11/23, Jeff Malott on 3/27/25, and Jared Wright on 3/2/26.
— With his Game 1 goal on Sunday, forward Artemi Panarin became the 13th player in Kings history to score a power-play goal in his playoff debut with the franchise. The only other player to achieve the feat in the past decade is Andrei Kuzmenko (2025), per NHL PR.
— On Sunday, Anton Forsberg started his first career Stanley Cup Playoff game, becoming the third goaltender to make his postseason debut as a member of the Kings at age 30 or older. Forsberg (33y, 143d), joined Gary Simmons (32y, 268d), who did so on April 13, 1977, and teammate Pheonix Copley (31y, 97d), who made his first postseason appearance on April 25, 2023.
— Per NHL PR, the Avalanche and Kings played against each other in the season-opening game for both clubs on Oct. 7, 2025. The only pairs of teams over the last 10 years (since 2015-16) to open their regular season and playoffs against each other were the Canadiens and Maple Leafs (2020-21), Avalanche and Blues (2020-21), Blues and Jets (2018-19) as well as the Kings and Sharks (2015-16).
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Avs
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Panarin – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Byfield – Laferriere
Armia – Laughton – Wright
Malott – Helenius – Joseph *
* likely change coming, see above
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Forsberg (starter)
Kuemper
Likely scratches: (F) Kuzmenko, Turcotte, Ward and (D) Moverare and (G) Copley
Injured Reserve: Fiala (injury status updates here)
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised locally by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
More on the Kings’ changing TV situation for next season can be found here.
Across the Ice
Here’s how Colorado lined up for Game 1:
Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Necas
Kelly – Nelson – Nichushkin
Landeskog – Kadri – Roy
Colton – Drury – O’Connor
Makar – Toews
Burns – Manson
Kulak – Malinski
Wedgewood (starter)
Blackwood
On This Day in Kings History
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