Kings Coach Demands 'Meaner' Game 2 Performance After Loss to Avalanche

Los Angeles Kings need to bring a greater battle level to Colorado to have any hope of pushing the top-seeded Avalanche to the limit in the series.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:41am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the intense, physical battle on the ice.The Kings' physical, aggressive approach in Game 2 will be crucial to their hopes of evening the series against the skilled, high-powered Avalanche.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Kings dropped the first game of their opening round playoff series against the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche by a 2-1 margin. Kings interim head coach D.J. Smith thought his team could have been more difficult to play against in Game 1 and wants to see a 'meaner' attitude from his players in Game 2 as they try to even the series.

Why it matters

The Kings are the No. 8 seed facing the Presidents Trophy-winning Avalanche, so they will need to play a much more aggressive and physical brand of hockey if they hope to pull off the upset and advance in the playoffs.

The details

Artturi Lehkonen scored the opening goal for the Avalanche late in the second period, and Logan O'Connor extended the lead in the third period. Artemi Panarin brought the Kings back within one with a late power play goal, but they could not find the equalizer.

  • The first game of the series was played on April 19, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The players

D.J. Smith

The interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who wants to see his team play a 'meaner' brand of hockey in Game 2 against the Avalanche.

Artturi Lehkonen

The Colorado Avalanche player who scored the opening goal of Game 1 late in the second period.

Logan O'Connor

The Colorado Avalanche player who extended the team's lead to 2-0 in the third period of Game 1.

Artemi Panarin

The Los Angeles Kings player who scored a late power play goal in Game 1 to bring his team within one.

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What they’re saying

“We need to bring a greater battle level to Colorado. We need to dictate the pace of the game by hitting the Colorado defense and coming with a 'meaner' attitude when we have the puck in the offensive zone.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The two teams will meet Tuesday night in Game 2 of the series.

The takeaway

The Kings will need to play a much more physical and aggressive style of hockey in Game 2 if they hope to even the series against the top-seeded Avalanche and have a chance of pulling off the upset in the opening round of the playoffs.