The LA Kings faced a challenging start to the 2025-26 NHL season, losing their home opener against the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 at Crypto.com Arena. Despite a promising first period that ended without any goals, the Kings struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.
Avalanche Dominates with Strong Performance
Colorado opened the scoring early in the second period when forward Martin Necas found the net, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon. Necas’s goal marked the first for the Avalanche this season. The Avalanche then extended their lead to 2-0 through defenseman Sam Malinski, who scored after successfully holding the puck at the left point. The Kings’ defense was unable to contend with Malinski’s shot, allowing it to evade traffic and enter the net.
Second Period Struggles
The Kings continued to falter as Colorado capitalized on a turnover in the neutral zone. Artturi Lehkonen seized the opportunity, scoring after a play initiated by defenseman Cale Makar, pushing the lead to 3-0. The Avalanche’s momentum continued with another goal on a power play, Necas scoring his second of the night and solidifying a commanding 4-0 lead.
Kings’ Late Response
In the closing stages of the game, the Kings managed to score through Kevin Fiala, who found the net during a 5-on-3 power play. This goal marked Fiala’s first of the season, and it was assisted by Adrian Kempe. Despite this late effort, Los Angeles could not recover from their earlier mistakes.
Key Performers and Stats
- Martin Necas: 2 goals for Colorado
- Sam Malinski: 1 goal, strong defensive play
- Cale Makar: 2 assists, pivotal in creating scoring chances
- Kevin Fiala: Scored his first goal, now has 25 career points against the Avalanche
- Drew Doughty: Played in his 607th home game, tying for 37th all-time among defensemen
Post-Game Thoughts from Kings Players
Adrian Kempe expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, noting the need to improve on puck possession and minimize turnovers. He highlighted that the team showed resilience in the third period, but they needed a better start and consistency throughout.
Defenseman Drew Doughty reflected on the challenges faced during the game and acknowledged Colorado’s strong checking game that disrupted their offensive flow. Head Coach Jim Hiller noted that while there were glimpses of potential, particularly in the penalty kill, the overall performance was not sufficient to secure a win.
Looking Ahead
The Kings look to bounce back in their next game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. They need to address their shortcomings from the opening match to find success in their upcoming contests.
