Game Two Preview: Avalanche look to steal another in Dallas

It didn't start well. Colorado let Dallas own the beginning of this series in their barn, falling behind 2-0 quickly and then 3-0 by the end of the first period. Was Alexandar Georgiev cooked? Was the team too rusty after finishing off the Winnipeg Jets in five games? Was something fundamentally broken? No. The Avalanche stormed back with tenacious defense and forechecking to score two goals in the second, one in the third, and one more to cap off the comeback in overtime.

Now, in Game Two, they'll need a stronger start as Dallas is sure to make adjustments to counter what worked so well for Colorado as Game One went on. Jake Oettinger, like Connor Hellebuyck before him, will be expected to elevate his game in the Stars' net, and their skaters will push hard to play a more competitive game than they showed in periods two and three.

And they did show that ability, particularly in the beginning of overtime. Without Georgiev's phenomenal work, the game wouldn't have lasted long enough for Miles Wood to get out on a breakaway and score the OT winner. ThaThat'se key to this game - will Colorado impose their like they did in periods two and three? Or will the Stars keep the momentum they generated in overtime to tie up the series?

Colorado Avalanche

Everything changed when they stopped playing stubborn hockey and accepted that they had to dump and chase to beat the Dallas Stars. In the first period, Colorado was just a hair off, as rust from the extra time off between games slowed them down a bit—but more importantly, they were insistent in trying to carry the puck into the offensive zone to create chances.

Dallas' defense wasn't having that, and they kept forcing turnovers at the blue line, leading to chances at the other end. Once the Avs forwards accepted that and dumped pucks in instead, they wore down the Stars’ defenders with a heavy forecheck and forced turnovers below the goal line. They drew penalties that led to two powerplay goals in the second period.

They have to do that again. Joel Kiviranta—whose offensive game is entirely forechecking—could return to boost the third line, though Chris Wagner was good in his place. Jonathan Drouin started skating in practice but is not expected back quite yet. There will not be any lineup changes on the backend and in goal.

Projected Lines

Valeri Nichushkin (13) - Nathan MacKinnon (29) - Mikko Rantanen (96)
Artturi Lehkonen (62) - Casey Mittelstadt (37) - Zach Parise (9)
Miles Wood (28) - Ross Colton (20) - Chris Wagner (14)* -
Andrew Cogliano (11) - Yakov Trenin (73) - Brandon Duhaime (12)

Devon Toews (7) - Cale Makar (8)
Sam Girard (49) - Josh Manson (42)
Jack Johnson (3) - Sean Walker (26)

*Note: Joel Kiviranta may take Wagner's roster spot if he's healthy enough to play.

Dallas Stars

They had a chance, and they blew it, but they've been there before—they lost the first two games at home to Vegas in round one before racking up three straight wins and closing out the series in Game Seven. One comeback loss shouldn't haunt them.

However, a lack of depth on defense might ruin them. Nils Lundqvist skated under five minutes in a game that went to overtime, forcing the five other defenders to play over 22 minutes apiece. They are horses who can handle the minutes, but could that have something to do with Miles Wood burning Miro Heiskanen on his overtime breakaway goal? Perhaps.

Up front Dallas was dangerous in the first period, but couldn’t get the puck on their sticks enough the rest of the way to make a difference. Their second line with Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston was particularly scary. However, Johnston seems to elevate any line he plays on and was even more horrifying with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson later in the game. Dallas may elevate him to the top group more often.

Projected Lines

Jason Robertson (21) - Roope Hintz (24) - Logan Stankoven (11)
Jamie Benn (14) - Wyatt Johnston (53) - Joe Pavelski (16)
Evgenii Dadonov (63) - Matt Duchene (95) - Tyler Seguin (91)
Radek Faksa (12) - Sam Steel (18) - Craig Smith (15)

Thomas Harley (55) - Miro Hiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) - Chris Tanev (3)
Ryan Suter (20) - Nils Lundkvist (5)

Goaltenders

There are no changes - Alexandar Georgiev for Colorado and Jake Oettinger for Dallas.