Nicolas Roy scored at 7:44 of overtime to propel the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in Denver, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Roy capitalized on a loose puck in the slot, firing it through the legs of Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke and past goalie Anton Forsberg for the game-winning goal.

"It’s obviously a big goal," Roy said. "It’s a tough series."

The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night.

Tying Goal and Strong Defensive Play Lead Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal late in regulation, while Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves to secure the win for Colorado, who had won the series opener 2-1 on Sunday.

"I liked our mentality again tonight," said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. "We’re digging in on the defensive side and keeping it out of the net. There were a lot of second-effort plays and desperation plays to eliminate scoring chances. We blocked a significant amount of shots, so we’re really committed on that side, and that’s how we have to win."

Wedgewood, who led the NHL during the regular season with a goals-against average of 2.02 and a save percentage of .921, played a pivotal role in keeping the Kings at bay.

Kings' Forsberg Keeps Them Close Despite Loss

Anton Forsberg made 34 saves for the Kings in his second postseason start, both of which have come in this series. Despite the loss, Forsberg has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his last nine starts.

"It’s tough, both games, we were right there," Forsberg said. "We’re playing well, fighting hard. We just have to stick with it and turn this around. We’re right there with one of the best teams in the league. We just have to stick with it and hope we find a way here."

Late Drama in Regulation

Neither team was able to score until the final seven minutes of the third period.

The Kings took the lead on a power play when Trevor Moore passed the puck to Artemi Panarin at the left hashmarks. Panarin took the time to settle the puck before firing it into the net for a 1-0 lead at 13:04.

However, the Avalanche answered back with 3:35 left in regulation. Devon Toews made a diagonal pass from the left point to Martin Necas on the opposite goal line. Necas quickly returned the puck through the crease to Landeskog, who finished with a one-timer to tie the game at 1-1.

Dramatic Moments and Close Calls

In the second period, Kings forward Quinton Byfield was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked by Cale Makar on a short-handed breakaway at 3:12. Wedgewood, however, denied Byfield with a glove save, keeping the game scoreless.

The game experienced a brief delay during the penalty as fans broke the glass behind the Los Angeles bench, sending shards flying onto Kings interim coach D.J. Smith. Play was halted for 19 minutes as the glass was cleaned and replaced.

The Avalanche thought they had taken the lead just nine seconds into the third period after defenseman Sam Malinski fired a one-timer from the left point. The puck hit the net, and the Avalanche briefly celebrated, but replays showed that the puck had stuck in the outside of the left post, preventing a goal.

With the series now heading to Los Angeles, both teams will be looking for a crucial win in Game 3 to gain an edge in the battle for a spot in the next round.

-Field Level Media/Reuters