Preview: Avalanche ditch 11 & 7 for key matchup with Dallas Stars

One month from playoff hockey, Ball Arena in downtown Denver hosts a heavyweight matchup tonight that could preview a second-round playoff series. The NHL’s two winningest teams — the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche — add another entry into one of the league’s most intense rivalries.

Can Dallas keep rolling after winning 14 of their last 16 games in regulation? Or will a banged-up Avalanche squad finally solve their recent power-play struggles and depth issues?

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are still reeling from Sunday’s ugly 7-2 loss in Pittsburgh — their worst game of the season by a wide margin. Defensive breakdowns in front of the net and poor coverage in the slot were glaring problems. Expect tighter attention to detail tonight.

As Mile High Hockey Lab’s Jackie Kay pointed out yesterday, this team usually responds with a strong effort after a couple of days of criticism. They’ve done it before: Landeskog scored the night after being called an underachiever; MacFarland landed Nazem Kadri at the deadline. This group loves proving people wrong.

Despite being pulled in Pittsburgh, Scott Wedgewood gets the start tonight. That decision makes it clear who Jared Bednar views as his guy heading into the playoffs. In what amounts to the biggest game of the regular season, it’s time for Wedgewood to deliver.

We also heard Nathan MacKinnon mention the drawbacks of going 11-7 in light of injuries and it looks like the message was heard by coaches and management as a they are abandoning that approach against Dallas.

Projected Lineup:

Nazem Kadri — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Joel Kiviranta — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Nicolas Roy
Zakhar Bardakov — Gavin Brindley — Taylor Makar

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinsk

Note: The Avalanche have not confirmed who will be called up, but we speculate it will be Taylor Makar.

Scott Wedgewood
MacKenzie Blackwood

Dallas Stars

The Colorado Avalanche aren’t the only team that has faced injury issues, and Dallas hasn’t used theirs as an excuse, cementing themselves as the hottest team out of the Olympic break with a 14-1-1 record since we ended the pause. All (or most) of that has been achieved without Mikko Rantanen, Tyler Seguin, or Roope Hintz.

The Stars have seen key contributions from the depth of their lineup, both young and old, with Matt Duchene, Sam Steele, and Justin Hryckowian making key contributions. They will be tested against a Colorado group that is desperate to get right, and although without key pieces, still harbouring the skills of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

Big two points here with Dallas sitting just three behind the Avalanche despite Colorado’s dominant start to the season. The Presidents’ Trophy will run through the Central Division, and the title will be earned.

Projected Lineup:

Jason Robertson — Wyatt Johnston — Mavrik Bourque
Sam Steel — Matt Duchene — Jamie Benn
Michael Bunting — Justin Hryckowian — Colin Blackwell
Oskar Back — Arttu Hyry — Adam Erne

Esa Lindell — Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley — Nils Lundkvist
Lian Bichsel — Tyler Myers

Jake Oettinger
Casey DeSmith