LOS ANGELES — It’s often said the fourth win is the hardest one in a series. That’s what the Avalanche will look to secure Sunday.
Here are three keys to their closing things out against the Los Angeles Kings:
Will the dam eventually break? The Kings have played three games they are pretty happy with. That has led to zero wins thus far in the series. Will they try to open it up at all, or are they perfectly happy trying to win their way? The Avalanche so far are OK playing that way. Regardless of how the game is played, it has to feel as if some of the Avalanche’s star players will eventually make a bigger mark on the series. Nathan MacKinnon had zero shots on goal in Game 3 and hasn’t scored a goal in this series. It seems unlikely he will go an entire series without scoring a goal.
Keep it 5-on-5. Los Angeles has struggled to score at even strength in this series, as it did all season. Most of its goals have come either on the power play or with one or two extra players on the ice. At the same time, Colorado’s power play has struggled. If the referees swallow their whistles, which has been a problem most of the postseason, that’s a big advantage for the Avalanche.
Just finish it. The Avalanche are likely going to play Game 4 without Josh Manson, a defenseman who adds a unique element to Colorado’s blue line. You can’t look past the Kings if you want to close this series out, but getting a short series in which players can lick their wounds ahead of the next round is crucial if you want to go on a long run.