The Dallas Stars are on a roll. A three-game road trip sweep, followed by a home victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. But that’s ancient history in this oddly scheduled NHL season.
Its back to the grind for the Stars on Saturday night, and its a particularly interesting grind. Bring on the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado put up a touchdown with a two-point conversion the last time out against the Anaheim Ducks. Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals, and the other Avalanche ex-Stars forwards (Andrew Cogliano, Fredrik Olofsson and newly signed Joel Kiviranta) each scored one. Yep, that’s five of the eight goals for guys with Dallas in their rearview mirror.
Certain DBD writers tell me that the Colorado bottom six are a hot mess, and you’ll find quite a few others out there who’ll tell you the same thing. No doubt, the Avalanche have faced their share of injuries, not just this year but going back a ways. Regardless, they’re still the “other” team to beat in the Central Division – which makes this a BIG game.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Radek Faksa (12) – Ty Dellandrea (10)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Joel Hanley (44) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Thomas Harley is still out. Dellandrea may be back, but there’s a chance we could see Sam Steel on the fourth line.
Otherwise, the Stars remain mostly healthy – rolling four lines. Defensively, the Lindell-Hakanpää security blanket appears to be a thing in more than late-game shutdown scenarios. Hanley seems to be OK playing with anyone, the only downside being that his pairing with Lundkvist probably keeps the third-pair minutes down in the low teens.
Colorado Avalanche Lineup
Valeri Nichushkin (13) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Jonathan Drouin (27) – Ryan Johansen (12) – Tomas Tatar (90)
Miles Wood (28) – Ross Colton (20) – Logan O’Connor (25)
Andrew Cogliano (11) – Fredrik Olofsson (22) – Joel Kiviranta (94)
Devon Toews (7) – Cale Makar (8)
Samuel Girard (49) – Bowen Byram (4)
Caleb Jones (82) – Jack Johnson (3)
Alexandar Georgiev (40)
Ivan Prosvetov (50)
That top line is still deadly, and the third line can be a useful shutdown line. At this point of the season, the second line is a mishmash of acquired talent that hasn’t found a way to jell. You’re welcome to name that fourth line of ex-Stars.
Nine of the twelve forwards are either 27 or 28 years old, and even if you go to the team’s players on injured reserve, the core is around the same age. Almost like Colorado is in the middle of their Stanley Cup window.
On defense, the top two pairs are top notch and a pleasure to watch. Makar is the obvious superstar, but the rest all bring their own unique, mainly offensive talents. The third pair – at least as long as Josh Manson is out – is replacement level.
In net, Georgiev has almost all of the starts. Both netminders are hovering around a 90% save rate, with a goals against average around three. Pavel Francouz is out for the season and has returned to Czechia.
Side note – lineups are based on the last game and haven’t been updated after any morning skates.
Keys to the Game
Rust. Four days without a game isn’t normal. Dallas needs to channel their inner Joel Hanley and play like there wasn’t a break.
Slow Starts? Speaking of rust, let’s not forget that the game doesn’t start with the puck drop in the second period.
Divisional Supremacy. It’s early, but these are the top two teams in the Central. This is a big game, and players (and fans) should treat it as such. No better way to spend a Saturday night in Big D.