This is 40 (Wins)

The Colorado Avalanche ended the month of February on a winning note, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks at home on the final day of the abbreviated month. The calendar turned to the very pivotal month of March, and on the second day of the month, the Avs landed in La La Land to face off against the Kings. The Kings had been struggling this year, they can't seem to find their footing. They've lost 14 games past regulation, which is tied with Vegas for the most, but at least Vegas has won a few more games. The Kings actually fired Jim Hiller as their head coach on Sunday, so this was their first game with DJ Smith at the helm.

Mackenzie Blackwood was in net against Anton Forsberg, and the game was quiet to start, but the noise came in the fifth minute. The Avs struck first, and it was--who else?--Nathan MacKinnon. Mack put in his 41st of the season, his league leading 41st of the season. Martin Necas and Gabriel Landeskog assisted. There weren't too many shots in this frame, but the Avs did manage to put another one in. Landeskog with the tally, with Necas and Brent Burns with the helpers. Avs led 2-0, but later on, the first power play of the game went to the Kings. It took just five seconds for LA to get on the board, and it was Brandt Clarke with the tally.

Avs led 2-1 after 20 minutes, and the second period saw a lot of shooting from the Avs. Martin Necas scored, but get this. Forsberg had the puck, it dropped, and then the whistle was blown right before Necas put it in. That whistle should have never been blown. The play was not over. So we were robbed of a goal. Minutes later, LA takes control, and Angus Booth gets his first NHL goal. So instead of the Avs being up 3-1 like we should have been, the game is tied at two. Close calls on both ends, and a scrum ends the second period.

Matching roughing minors are called on Brandt Clarke and Parker Kelly, so the third period starts with four-on-four action. The penalties ended, but the opportunities for the Avs didn't. So many shots, quite a few of them almost went in. Forsberg was stealing saves and keeping this tied. LA started to get something going in the latter half of the of the period, but it would be the Avs who struck, and it was Devon Toews. Only his second of the season overall, but it was a big one, giving us the lead. With about two minutes left, Kings pulled Forsberg for the extra attacker, and with 34.8 seconds left in regulation, the Avs went on the power play for the first and only time. Goalie still pulled, but it allowed Necas to put in the empty net PPG to seal it.

The Avalanche won, 4-2, in Los Angeles, improving to 3-1 after the break, and becoming the first to reach 40 wins this season. Gabriel Landeskog and Martin Necas each had three point nights, while Nathan MacKinnon added to his league leading goals total, and now moves one point away from his fourth straight 100-point season. March is a test for every team, even the one with the best record in the league. Starting this month out with a win is very important, now we need to keep it up.

Next up for the Avs, we will hit the highway and head to Anaheim to face the Ducks on Tuesday. After that, the Avs will head to Dallas to face off against the Stars.

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