Game Five Preview: Avalanche on the brink of elimination

This could be it. The season is on the line, and this Colorado Avalanche team shouldn’t have any more surprises in store - they just have to win Game Five in Dallas to keep their season alive.

Game Four was surrounded by chaos, with Val Nichushkin’s personal struggles overshadowing anything happening on the ice. Devon Toews’ last-minute scratch due to illness only added to the general malaise that engulfed the Avalanche and clearly impacted their play.

Tonight, they must leave all that behind them and outwork Dallas, or they’ll be spending the summer regretting letting their season end with a whimper.

Colorado Avalanche

Devon Toews is expected back, which should be a huge boost on the backend. Caleb Jones played in Toews's place, and Sean Walker took his spot on the top line, but both struggled mightily in roles they weren’t expecting to play until moments before puck drop. Cale Makar also struggled without his regular partner, and he needs to be better to give Colorado a shot.

Up front, Jonathan Drouin was good in his return, and it’s reasonable to expect better with a little more rust shaken off after his absence with a lacerated thigh. In his few minutes with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, that line dominated play - hopefully, they’ll be reunited for longer tonight.

Beyond them, there hasn’t been much offense. Casey Mittelstadt and Artturi Lehkonen could use a new right winger, as the current version of Zach Parise cannot keep up with his linemates. Yakov Trenin or Brandon Duhaime taking shifts on that line could make sense, as could another chance for Nikolai Kovalenko.

The one guy who has given Colorado his best all series has surprisingly been Alexandar Georgiev - the much-maligned goaltender coming into the playoffs has proven he belongs in the net on a contender with his play, and he might need to find another level to keep this season going.

Projected Lines

Jonathan Drouin (27) - Nathan MacKinnon (29) - Mikko Rantanen (96)
Artturi Lehkonen (62) - Casey Mittelstadt (37) - Zach Parise (9)
Miles Wood (28) - Ross Colton (20) - Joel Kiviranta (94)
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)

Dallas Stars

Dallas came into Denver and took two games to put themselves one away from the conference final—they’re deep, strong defensively, and their goalie is on point. There’s a lot to like about the Stars right now.

They did lose Roope Hintz to injury in Game Four, and he is out for Game Five. It could be a blessing in disguise as Wyatt Johnston could move up to take his top-line minutes, and he’s been incredible. Radek Faksa will take Hintz’s lineup spot and skate with the fourth line.

Chris Tanev was also injured in Game Four, but he took morning skate and is expected to play. Tanev has been a key to the Dallas defense’s ability to slow down Colorado’s top line and, paired mostly with Esa Lindell, has given up very little.

Jake Oettinger has been good in goal when called upon but hasn’t been tested as much as expected, given the Avalanche’s bevy of star talent. That will have to change tonight.

Projected Lines

Jason Robertson (21) — Tyler Seguin (91) — Logan Stankoven (11)
Jamie Benn (16) — Wyatt Johnston (53) — Joe Pavelski (16)
Mason Marchment (27) — Matt Duchene (95) — Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Craig Smith (15) — Radek Faksa (18) — Sam Steel (18)

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

Goaltenders

No changes - Alexandar Georgiev vs Jake Oettinger.