Lehky and LOC Shine as Avs Take Game 1

Big-game players play big in big game.

Everyone talks about the starpower of the Colorado Avalanche roster. And for good reason. Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic have amassed some of the best and most talented players in the NHL.

But few include Artturi Lehkonen and Logan O’Connor in that conversation.

Well, if the conversation shifts to which players step up in the biggest moments, both names belong near the top.

Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings came down to a single goal. And the game winner? O’Connor.

When the game was scoreless and none of the Avs’ star players could muster a goal to break the deadlock, who was the guy who broke through and put the burgundy on top? Lehkonen.

Yes, the stars garner the attention, but this version of the Colorado Avalanche are different; built to be a complete team top to bottom. It showed on Sunday afternoon.