The Los Angeles Kings face elimination when they meet the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena. Colorado leads the series 3-0 after a 4-2 win in Game 3, and Los Angeles now needs a response to extend the Western Conference first-round matchup.
The Kings have stayed competitive in the series, but small mistakes have proved costly. A strange bounce also helped Colorado open the scoring in Game 3, when Gabriel Landeskog’s shot missed wide, caromed off the end boards, hit Kings goalie Anton Forsberg’s skate, and went in.
1. Los Angeles must handle the pressure of a must-win game
The Kings do not need a perfect performance, but they do need a cleaner one. Interim coach D.J. Smith said the team has to stay loose while understanding the stakes, adding that players are still working hard and have not lost belief in the room.
That mindset matters because a 3-0 deficit leaves little margin for error. Los Angeles needs sharper puck management, stronger discipline, and a faster start to avoid letting Colorado control the game early.
2. Colorado is trying to finish a series that has been tightly played
The Avalanche know this is often the hardest game in a sweep attempt. Nathan MacKinnon said the team is focused on playing well rather than thinking about the result, and he pointed to Colorado’s commitment to defense and team structure.
That approach has helped the Avalanche build their edge in the series. If they stay organized and keep pressure on the Kings, they can force Los Angeles to chase the game again.
3. The history strongly favors Colorado, but Game 4 still carries tension
The numbers are heavily on the Avalanche’s side. Of 213 teams that have taken a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series, 209 have won the series, and only four have lost after reaching that position.
Still, the recent record shows that teams down 3-0 have made pushes to extend the series, and eight of the past 10 such series reached at least Game 5. That is why Game 4 can test both sides differently: the Kings must play with urgency, while the Avalanche must show the composure needed to end it.
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