Avalanche Look to Complete Season Sweep of Kings

Colorado faces LA in final matchup of the year as Kings search for offensive spark under new interim coach.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Colorado Avalanche look to complete a season sweep over the struggling Los Angeles Kings tonight at Ball Arena. The Kings have been plagued by a lack of scoring this season, leading to the firing of head coach Jim Hiller. D.J. Smith has been elevated to interim head coach as the team searches for a jolt. Meanwhile, the Avalanche continue to rack up wins despite an inconsistent power play. With the season series on the line, the game could get chippy as the teams look to settle the bad blood between them.

Why it matters

This game represents the final meeting of the season between these two Western Conference rivals. The Avalanche are looking to complete the season sweep, while the Kings are hoping a coaching change can spark their underperforming offense. The outcome could have implications for the playoff race in the West.

The details

The Avalanche have struggled at times with their power play and puck management, but have still managed to rack up wins. The Kings, on the other hand, have been plagued by a lack of scoring all season, leading to the firing of head coach Jim Hiller. D.J. Smith has been elevated to interim head coach, and the team is hoping he can provide a spark to their struggling offense. Defenseman Brandt Clarke has been a pest for the Avalanche in previous matchups, and the game could get chippy as the teams look to settle the bad blood between them.

  • The game takes place on March 2, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

The players

Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are one of the top teams in the Western Conference and are looking to complete a season sweep of the Kings.

Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have struggled with a persistent lack of scoring this season, leading to the firing of head coach Jim Hiller. They are hoping a coaching change can spark their underperforming offense.

D.J. Smith

D.J. Smith has been elevated to interim head coach of the Kings as the team searches for a jolt.

Brandt Clarke

Defenseman Brandt Clarke has been a pest for the Avalanche in previous matchups between these two teams.

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What they’re saying

“We need to be better.”

— Anze Kopitar, Kings Player (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The outcome of this game could have implications for the playoff race in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

This game represents the final meeting of the season between these two Western Conference rivals, with the Avalanche looking to complete the season sweep and the Kings hoping a coaching change can spark their struggling offense. The game could get chippy as the teams look to settle the bad blood between them.