How The Kings Should Line Match Against MacKinnon And the Avalanche

Strategy and coaching decisions are a big factor when the playoffs roll around, and line-matching plays a crucial role in taking advantage of your opponent.

As massive underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, the Los Angeles Kings and interim head coach D.J. Smith will need to take line-matching seriously and give it careful consideration.

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Offensively, the Avalanche’s top-three forward lines can really inflict damage. With Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the top line, Brock Nelson on line No. 2, and Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog listed on the third line, Los Angeles will need to spread out its defensive expertise.

So Smith should be asking himself, ‘Who will be matching up with MacKinnon, Nelson and Kadri?’ Luckily for the Kings, especially the centers on the team, they thrive in a shutdown assignment.

Colorado’s top-three centers are met with Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar, Quinton Byfield, and newcomer Scott Laughton.

Laughton will likely get the assignment of looking after Kadri when the two third lines meet on the ice. Kadri and Laughton both share a nasty and physical edge to their individual games, which could create a fiery matchup.

Kings Vs Avalanche Game 1 Preview: Kings Looking To take a Series Lead The Kings are getting ready for game 1 of the playoffs as they take on the Colorado Avalanche.

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More importantly, Laughton excels in the defensive side of the game, particularly in the faceoff dot and on the penalty kill. Among players who take faceoffs regularly, Laughton leads the team in faceoff percentage at 59.4 percent.

That just leaves two-time Selke Trophy winner Kopitar and Byfield to supervise MacKinnon and Nelson.

Based on overall defensive talent, Kopitar would have the edge on Byfield with the aforementioned awards and legacy that the Kings captain has imposed.

However, there’s a little more to it when dealing with the Rocket Richard Trophy winner and…