Kings Get Avalanche of Goals Past Martin

Oh Colorado. I try to love you but you don’t make it easy. This should have been an awesome game! Kings play the worst team in the league for an easy win! But they steamrolled so convincingly it was almost painful to watch. The Kings first goal came 47 seconds in on the first shift. I should mention this is their goaltender Spencer Martin’s third game in the NHL, coming in as Calvin Pickard’s backup, who is Semyon Varlomov’s backup, who is out for the rest of the season. There was a scramble at the net and he couldn’t cover before Marian Gaborik whacked it in past him. Less than a minute later Brayden McNabb earned his nickname McSmash by smashing Rene Borque into the boards. Borque had his head down and didn’t see the hit coming, nonetheless John Mitchell took offense and quickly threw down the gloves against McNabb. He got the 10 minute major, the 5, and the 2 minute minor for instigating. McNabb got the 5 for fighting so a Kings power play ensued. The Kings had quite a few chances but Martin held strong. The Avalanche had their chance a few minutes later when Gaborik went to the box for slashing, but it was the next penalty that led to a goal. Nathan MacKinnon, who won the Calder Trophy a few years ago, wasn’t in the box for more than 8 seconds before Jeff Carter scored his first goal. Anze Kopitar won the face-off, Carter took the shot and Tanner Pearson provided the screen. 2-0 with barely 7 minutes gone by. Drew Doughty got an assist on the goal, which brought his assist streak to a career long 6 games (he’s 1-7 in those games.) It’s the longest point/assist streak by a King this season (that’s our All Star.)

In a perfect summary of the Avalanche season, 2 of them smashed into each other trying to get the puck out of their defensive zone; Nic Dowd took his chance to school them, getting past all 5 with the now free puck ended up with a 1-on-1 with Martin. He shot high however, but it is nice to see him back on the ice. (Speaking of which Tyler Toffoli’s return is looking imminent!) With 2:18 remaining in the first, Carter was on deck for a hat trick, this time snapping the puck in front door past Martin. The Kings 3 goals is not unprecedented – they scored 3 against the Devils not a week ago – but it is not habit by any stretch of the imagination. So it was nice to see, and particularly nice to see them not play down to struggling teams. The Avalanche did get one last Budaj, but it was waved off immediately for incidental contact with the goaltender. Their coach Jared Bednar challenged the call but it was upheld, no goal. Anze Kopitar, who scored the primary assist on Gaborik’s goal, was called for hooking, but the Kings had more shorthanded chances than the Avalanche had with their extra man. Martin seemed more confident and stronger in the second, so the Kings remained at 3.

That didn’t last long. The Kings were on another power play early into the third, and while they didn’t score on it they did keep all the momentum and a Dustin Brown goal resulted. Coach Sutter was asked about Brown, he said “I think he’s kind of focusing on himself and not carrying a lot of extra weight on his shoulders. Need to watch how we use him, things like that. We want him to be a plus player and a good checker and get around the net and be a good net presence for our club.” Brown played a great game, and he cashed in on Nic Dowd’s shot. With a little more than 8 minutes remaining Dwight King banked a shot of Martin’s leg on a wraparound shot, giving the Kings 5 goals and the fans free Red Vines. While the Kings kept trying to get Carter his hat trick, including a semi-breakaway and shot with 4 seconds remaining, it wasn’t to be. It was still a convincing win and a much needed two points. Budaj got his 6 shutout of the season, tying him with Braden Holtby for most in a season. Up next: the Kings go on their Grammy road trip.