The Los Angeles Kings are hanging tough with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, but they trail 2-0 in their Western Conference first-round playoff series as it shifts to the West Coast.

As the Kings prepare to host Game 3 on Thursday, they are looking for answers against the regular-season champions in an effort to get back into the best-of-seven series.

Both games have ended in 2-1 scores, with Game 2 requiring overtime for Colorado to secure the win on Tuesday.

“It’s tough the way it ended, both games,” Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg said. “We’re right there, playing well. We’re fighting hard. We just have to stick with it and turn this around.”

The latest loss was especially painful. Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal — his second in as many games — gave Los Angeles a late lead with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation. However, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with 3:35 left, before Nicolas Roy scored the winner 7:44 into overtime.

The Kings have leaned on a strong defensive structure, but they will need more production from players beyond Panarin. They had chances to close out Game 2, including a second-period penalty shot by Quinton Byfield that was denied, as well as multiple opportunities in sudden-death overtime.

“We had the momentum in overtime,” interim coach D.J. Smith said. “We were out-chancing them at that point, and then maybe a bad bounce or a turnover, and it ends up in your net. This team is playing hard, and we just have to find a way to win.”

Despite holding the series lead, the Avalanche remain cautious, knowing the Kings are capable of responding at home.

Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon acknowledged the challenge ahead.

“Playoffs are going to be hard. It’s a really good team over there,” MacKinnon said. “They’re playing hard. We’re playing hard. It’s low-scoring, but it’s fun hockey. We need to find a way to steal Game 3.”

Colorado led the NHL in scoring during the regular season with 3.68 goals per game, but their offense has been limited through two playoff games. Still, their defensive identity has carried over from the regular season, when they also ranked among the league’s stingiest teams.

“We’ve been talking all year about the importance of defending, and I’m happy with the commitment we’re getting from our guys,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I still think there’s another level we can reach. We just have to go out and improve our performance, especially on the road.”

Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood has also been a difference-maker early in the series. His penalty-shot save on Byfield was a key highlight, and he has stopped 48 of the 50 shots he has faced so far.

Not bad for a 33-year-old making his first Stanley Cup Playoff appearances after having no postseason starts — or wins — prior to this series.

“I think mentally, over my career, I’ve been building my own scar tissue just trying to stay alive in this league,” Wedgewood said. “So to be here in the playoffs feels like what I’ve been working toward. It’s honestly been really fun hockey. You know what’s at stake.”

— Field Level Media / Reuters