Overview
- Colorado opened the series with a 2-1 win Sunday in Denver as Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs start.
- Logan O’Connor scored the winner in the third period for his first goal since March 31, 2025 after a long hip injury absence.
- Artturi Lehkonen put Colorado ahead in the second, Nathan MacKinnon logged an assist, and Artemi Panarin’s late power-play goal drew Los Angeles within one.
- Avalanche coach Jared Bednar chose Wedgewood over regular-season partner MacKenzie Blackwood, while Kings goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 28 shots in his postseason debut.
- Game 2 is Tuesday in Denver, following a pre-series outlook that priced Colorado as a strong favorite and projected a slight lean to the over on a 5.5 total.