Avalanche Vs Kings: avalanche vs kings projected lineups, injuries and 3/2 preview
The avalanche vs kings matchup features a notable roster shift: forward Kenny Connors will make his NHL debut for the Kings while Trevor Moore is out (illness). The game is scheduled for 10: 30 p. m. ET on Monday, March 2 at Crypto. com Arena, and both clubs are finalizing morning-skate adjustments and backup plans ahead of puck drop.
Injury and roster updates
Several availability notes shape the matchup. For the Avalanche, Logan O’Connor is listed with hip surgery and Joel Kiviranta is out with a concussion; Kiviranta was on the ice in a noncontact jersey at the morning skate and is expected to miss his second straight game. The Kings are without Trevor Moore (illness) and Darcy Kuemper (illness). Additional Kings injuries include Drew Doughty (lower body), Joel Armia (upper body), Andrei Kuzmenko (meniscus) and Kevin Fiala (fractured leg).
Recent recall and roster moves: the Kings recalled Kenny Connors from AHL Ontario and will give him his NHL debut. The club also recalled defenseman Angus Booth and forward Jared Wright from the AHL; one defenseman was designated non-roster. With Kuemper unavailable, the Kings recalled a goaltender to back up Anton Forsberg. A recalled player is in line to make a debut after being added from the AHL.
Avalanche Vs Kings projected lineups
Projected forward and defensive groupings for the matchup are listed here as provided in morning projections.
Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Artturi Lehkonen — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Zakhar Bardakov — Parker Kelly — Gavin Brindley
Kings
Artemi Panarin — Anze Kopitar — Adrian Kempe
Alex Turcotte — Quinton Byfield — Alex Laferriere
Warren Foegele — Kenny Connors — Corey Perry
Jeff Malott — Samuel Helenius — Taylor Ward
Defense pairings and scratches: Jared Wright and Jacob Moverare were listed as scratched or designated non-roster. That defensive move leaves room for recalled players to be available for NHL debuts.
avalanche vs kings game-time notes
Start time and venue: 10: 30 p. m. ET, Monday, March 2 at Crypto. com Arena. Goaltending for the Kings is expected to feature Anton Forsberg in net after a recent shutout; the Kings have set Forsberg up to start again while the recalled backup fills in with Kuemper unavailable.
Betting/preview indicators made public ahead of the game show an ATS pick favoring the Kings at +1. 5, an Over/Under leaning Under 6. 5, and a score projection of Avalanche 3, Kings 2. These are included as part of pregame market guidance for the matchup.
What to watch and short forward look
Key individual matchups and form: Martin Necas leads the Avalanche with three goals against the Kings this season; Nathan MacKinnon has a team-high four points against Los Angeles this year. Colorado enters having won three of its last four games, increasing its NHL-leading totals in wins and points to 39 and 88 respectively.
On the Kings side, a full-team morning skate preceded the game and Connors’ debut is the headline roster change. If the Kings keep Forsberg in goal and the recalled backup fills the netminding role, puck-handling and line matchups will be worth tracking early. With multiple players listed out or on injured reserve for both teams, last-minute lineup decisions remain possible at warmups.
Key takeaways:
• Kenny Connors will make his NHL debut; Trevor Moore is out (illness).
• Game time: 10: 30 p. m. ET, Monday, March 2 at Crypto. com Arena.
• Projected lines and injury lists will determine matchup dynamics at puck drop.
