Kuemper gets second straight shutout, Avalanche top Kings

LOS ANGELES --Darcy Kuemper earned his second straight shutout for the Colorado Avalanche, making 23 saves in a 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

"I think we didn't really give them anything off the rush, and once we got into the zone, we were closing quick, taking away their time and space," Kuemper said. "And when they were getting shots, they were to the outside and I was able to see them, and the guys did an amazing job in front of me tonight."
It was the fifth shutout this season for Kuemper, who made 46 saves in a 3-0 win against the Calgary Flames on Sunday.
"He's playing with a ton of confidence, and it's pouring over to the rest of our team," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said.

Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin each had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche (43-13-5). Defenseman Josh Manson had one shot, 10 hits and was plus-1 in 18:13 of ice time in his Colorado debut after being acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
"If Josh's game tonight is any indication, he's going to help us in a big way," Bednar said.
Jonathan Quick made 24 saves for the Kings (33-21-8), who are 1-2-1 in their past four games.
With Tobias Bjornfot missing the game after sustaining a lower-body injury in a 3-2 shootout win against Florida Panthers on Sunday, Los Angeles did not have any defensemen that played on opening night available against Colorado.
"As they keep falling out, it gets tougher," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "You get deeper in the batting order and guys end up playing significantly more minutes against opponents that they normally wouldn't play against, and that catches up to you."
Nichushkin put Colorado ahead 1-0 at 6:36 of the first period, cutting to the crease and scoring on a one-timer off Rantanen's pass from near the right post.
"I think he provides a lot of similar things to what Gabe [Landeskog] does for that line," Bednar said. "Big, heavy guy that can get in on the forecheck, which allows [Nathan MacKinnon] and Mikko to be able to play a little more in the offensive zone. He's shown some skill and puck protection ability with that line to help keep those guys playing."

J.T. Compher made it 2-0 at 19:29 of the second period when he deflected Cale Makar's point shot through traffic on a power play. The goal came shortly after Kings captain Anze Kopitar shot wide of the net on a breakaway.
"I think it played a significant role in the game, but not the be all and end all," McLellan said about special teams. "Obviously, both their goals came on the [power play]. Miscommunication on the first one. Second one, knocked it out of the air, give him credit for that."
Rantanen extended the lead to 3-0 at 5:03 of the third period, scoring a one-timer from the right face-off dot off a pass by Andre Burakovsky.
Christian Wolanin appeared to score for Los Angeles at 7:10, but Bednar challenged the play for offside, and the call was reversed after a video review.
NOTES:Kuemper is third in the NHL in shutouts, behind Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames (nine) and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders (six). … Colorado is 13-1-1 against Pacific Division teams. … Los Angeles was shutout for the sixth time.