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Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Sport
Lisa Dillman

What we learned from the Kings' 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche

Oct. 19--The last time the Kings won back-to-back games in regulation was April 2 and April 4, against Edmonton and Colorado.

Sensing a theme here?

The Avalanche have been the cure for what ails the Kings as they've won six straight games against Colorado.

In addition to that dominance, there are a few other things we learned about Sunday's victory:

Toffoli fit for the spotlight

Right wing Tyler Toffoli continues to be the Kings' most efficient, most consistent goal scorer, responsible for half of them.

He's a threat shorthanded -- having led the league with six last season -- can score on the power play and is capable of a highlight reel move or two.

The latter came into play on Sunday night as Toffoli offered a quick response, converting on a breakaway, just 23 seconds after the Avalanche tied it 1-1 in the second period. The line of Milan Lucic-Jeff Carter-Toffoli combined for 11 shots on goal.

Power play continues to plod along

Four more opportunities. Four more lost chances on the power play.

The Kings are getting chances to put games out of reach earlier, or to get back into it, but have struggled on the power play all season

Their success rate is 4.8%, putting them ahead of a mere two teams, Pittsburgh and Anaheim. Then again, those teams have not scored a power-play goal this season.

Stronger in the faceoff circle

The Kings had the decided edge in that department, winning 59% of faceoffs against the Avalanche.

Center Anze Kopitar lost just six of 24 faceoffs and third-line center Nick Shore won seven of 10 faceoffs.

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