The Los Angeles Kings [http://thn/LA] are down 3-0 to the Colorado Avalanche [http://thn/COL]in the first round of the playoffs and will look to avoid a sweep and extend the series to Game 5. Los Angeles has been in this series for the most part in all three games; the game has been decided by one possession. With the first two games being played in Denver, the Kings lost by just one goal, and Game 3 at LA was a one-goal game until the Avs scored an empty-net goal to seal the deal. Kings Fall Into 3-0 Hole In Game 3 Loss To Avalanche, Face Elimination [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ea12dc80-c085-4c5b-85c2-16db6da50265.jpeg] Kings Fall Into 3-0 Hole In Game 3 Loss To Avalanche, Face Elimination For the third straight game, the Los Angeles Kings proved they can hang with the Colorado Avalanche, but also proved why they’re now one loss away from elimination. In a series defined by missed chances, Game 3 may have been their most frustrating yet. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/kings-fall-into-3-0-hole-after-game-3-loss-to-avalanche] Other than that, the opportunities have been there for the silver and black, but they just haven't been able to capitalize on offense, despite playing great defense led by goaltender Anton Forsberg. Not only will a win Sunday afternoon extend LA's season, but it will also help extend Anze Kopitar's career, who will likely play his final game if the Avs bring in the brooms. START TIME AND TV SCHEDULE Who: Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche When: 1:30 p.m. PT Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: TNT, FanDuel Sports Network West KINGS PROJECTED LINES Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci Anton Forsberg Darcy Kuemper AVALANCHE PROJECTED LINES Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas Ross Colton- Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin Gabriel Landeskog - Nazem Kadri - Nicolas Roy Parker Kelly - Jack Drury - Logan O'Connor Devon Toews - Cale Makar Brett Kulak - Sam Malinski Nick Blankenburg - Brent Burns Scott Wedgewood Mackenzie Blackwood KEY FACTORS For LA to win this game and force another game in Denver, they need to come out aggressively, as they did in Game 3 at home, and put pressure on the Avs' defense. The Kings have done a good job defending Colorado's power play, holding them to 0-for-9 in all three games of this series, but LA, meanwhile, is 2-for-12, barely capitalizing on its stops. Everything has come so tough for the Kings, especially scoring against Avs goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who has been a monster under the crease for Colorado with a .923 SV%, saving nearly every shot that Los Angeles throws at him. Will Anton Forsberg stay hot? The Swedish goaltender had a solid Game 3, but took a bit of a drop off compared to the first two games at Denver, and still made several key saves. And what kind of changes will we see from the top line for Los Angeles? The top line of Kopitar, Artemi Panarin, and Adrian Kempe takes most of the blame, as they were pretty much nonexistent offensively in Game 3. Panarin does have two goals and two points through three games, but Kempe, who ended the season on a hot streak, hasn't lived up to expectations 'Some Guys Can Play Better': Why The Kings' Top Line Must Be Broken Up For Game 4 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5910746a-29ce-43ae-9067-90fba409e050.jpeg] 'Some Guys Can Play Better': Why The Kings' Top Line Must Be Broken Up For Game 4 The Los Angeles Kings' top line is yet to record a point at even strength and was a combined minus-nine in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche. Facing elimination, it's time for that top line to be broken up ahead of Game 4. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/some-guys-can-play-better-why-the-kings-top-line-must-be-broken-up-for-game-4] With Kopitar likely playing his last NHL game on Sunday afternoon, the motivation should be there for the veteran and the rest of the team to try to extend their season. NOTES AND UPDATES For the Kings injury report Kevin Fiala (fractured leg) remains out and for the Avs Josh Manson (upper-body) is unlikely to play. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/570ce74c-a730-43ff-b329-78e098516807.png] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
