A Force of Nature vs. The Monarchs: Game Preview

The Avalanche are looking to improve their record to 9-8-0 and get their 4th straight win at home. The Kings come to Denver after dropping a 3-1 loss to Pacific Division rival Calgary Flames.

Denver, Co. - The Colorado Avalanche are riding a three-game win streak at home. Still missing a few top forwards, they've discovered a rhythm to find momentum - and the wins - they need. 

The Los Angeles Kings travel to Colorado for their first of three matchups this season with the Avalanche. They dropped their last game on Monday with the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 loss. Forward Trevor Moore had his third goal of the season, giving the Kings life during their last game but the rest of the team came up short in the end.

Colorado is Full of Stars

NHL Public Relations announced on Monday that Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon was named last week's second star of the week, alongside other stars in  Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

MacKinnon currently leads the league in points (30) and assists (23). Last week alone, he had one goal and eight assists, totaling nine points, in three games played.

The Avalanche don't only have a bright star in Nathan MacKinnon. The other two assistant captains for the team, forward Mikko Rantanen and defenseman Cale Makar, are also making a splash in the league's statistics rankings.

Rantanen is currently among the goal leaders in the NHL. Tied for 12th doesn't sound like the greatest stat on paper, but it might be when you reconsider that his nine goals this season only trail the top leaders by three. Sam Reinhart (Florida), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton), and Cole Caufield (Montreal) are all currently tied for first in the league with 12 goals. The Nousiainen, Finland native has earned five of his nine goals in the past four games.

Cale Makar is also among NHL leaders in league statistics. The 2022 Norris Trophy winner is currently tied for third in points with 24, along with Florida's Reinhart and Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. He is tied for fourth with Washington Capital's forward Dylan Strome.