AVALANCHE INSIDE LOOK: ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOW IN COLORADO KINGS AGAIN PUSH AVS, FANS, TO LIMIT.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Kings fans stood on their feet Saturday and deafeningly chanted the two most detested words in the Mile High City: Game Seven.

For the second consecutive year, the Colorado Avalanche will return to Denver after squandering two opportunities to close out another playoff series against the Kings.

The Kings overwhelmed the Avalanche 3-1 on Saturday at Staples Center in front of a sellout crowd of 18,449. After falling behind 3-1 in the series, the Kings won back-to-back, must-win games and tied the series. Again.

Craig Johnson's controversial goal in overtime of Game 5 forced a Game 6. Kings goalie Felix Potvin made 23 saves and was beaten only by rookie Riku Hahl.

As impressive as the Kings looked, the Avalanche was equally unimpressive.

``We just weren't ready,'' Colorado forward Mike Keane said. ``We just weren't ready to play. It was an afternoon game. It was tough to get going. I guess the team that woke up first won the game.''

The Avalanche had better set its alarm for Monday. There are no guarantees in Game 7, even for the defending Stanley Cup champions. The only possible guarantee about the Avalanche is that it doesn't seem to have a killer instinct when it comes to playoffs and the Kings.

``We let 'em off the hook,'' Colorado defenseman Rob Blake said. ``But we've got Game 7 and we've got to prepare for that.''

Kings center Jason Allison scored 1:19 into the game - after Patrick Roy came out of the crease and tried to poke away a deflected shot - and Brad Chartrand had his first career playoff goal for a 2-0 Kings lead after the first period.

The Kings made it 3-0 on Brian Smolinski's one-timer 6:19 into the second period.

Last year, Colorado blasted the Kings 5-1 in Game 7 in Denver. The Avalanche scored a combined nine goals in the first two games but scored just two goals in the last three games.

Colorado is 2 for 21 on the power play, including a scoreless streak in its last 17.

``We have to create more scoring chances and put more pucks through the net,'' said winger Milan Hejduk, who played Saturday for the first time since Feb. 28.

Colorado center Peter Forsberg didn't play because of an unknown leg injury. Forsberg, who missed the regular season but returned for the playoffs, participated in the pregame skate but wouldn't say much about the injury.

He plans to play Monday.

``It doesn't matter what happened in Games 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6,'' he said. ``It all comes down to one game.''

A final game the Avalanche dominated last year. But this year, the Kings never have looked better.

``We've got to play our own game,'' Potvin said. ``We can't play any different just because it's Game 7.''

Colorado must play differently if it plans to repeat as Stanley Cup champion.

Keane hardly seems concerned.

``This is the fun time,'' Keane said. ``We play well at home.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Colorado goalie Patrick Roy cools off during Game 6 on Saturday. He'll have to stay cool as the Kings have forced a Game 7 for the second year in a row.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer