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March 2, 2026

The Colorado Avalanche (39-10-9) open a road back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings (24-21-14). Puck drop is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. MT.

Also Read:Takeaways: Cale Makar Admits Power Play Frustrations (+)

Key Stories to Watch

  • The Avalanche are looking to sweep the season series against the L.A. Kings. They defeated them in late December at Ball Arena after opening the 2025-26 regular season with a 4-1 victory at Crypto.com Arena.
  • Joel Kiviranta remains out with a concussion, meaning Colorado will ice the same lineup that defeated the Chicago Blackhawks at Ball Arena on Sunday. Kiviranta did skate in a non-contact jersey on Monday morning.
  • The Kings have struggled coming out of the break, despite the big splash they made in early February, acquiring Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers before the roster freeze. L.A. gave up 14 goals in its first two games before defeating the Calgary Flames 2-0 in its last outing. But the damage was already done. The team announced that head coach Jim Hiller was relieved of his duties on Sunday and replaced by D.J. Smith. This will be the Kings’ first game with Smith as the interim coach.
  • The Kings will likely be without Darcy Kuemper due to illness. Anton Forsberg is expected to get the nod in goal after recording that shutout over the Flames. They are also without Drew Doughty, Trevor Moore, Andrei Kuzmenko, Joel Armia, and Andrei Kuzmenko.
  • Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to get his third start in four games out of the break.

Season Series

  • Oct. 7 at Los Angeles Kings (W, 4-1)
  • Dec. 29 vs Los Angeles Kings (W, 5-2)
  • March 2 at Los Angeles Kings

Avalanche Injuries

  • Logan O’Connor (undisclosed, TBD)
  • Joel Kiviranta (concussion, TBD)
Also Read:Postgame: Makar Scores 2, Avalanche Rebound With Victory Over Chicago

Projected Avalanche Lines (Subject to Change)

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Zakhar Bardakov — Parker Kelly — Gavin Brindley

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (Subject to Change)

  • Expected: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
  • Expected: Anton Forsberg (LAK)

Upcoming Milestones

  • Gabriel Landeskog — needs 5 points for 600
  • Martin Necas — needs 4 games for 500
  • Devon Toews — needs 8 points for 300

How to Watch

  • TV: Altitude 2 & KTVD My20
  • Radio: 92.5 FM
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