So how do the Avs get back on track?
It's two-fold for Bednar. First, its making sure the team plays a "full 60"--not taking off shifts and keeping the intensity high for the entire contest. Second, it is focusing on the play at hand and not worrying about what will happen in five minutes or the next period.
"That 60-minute process is key, and that is what we have to focus on. The details and the way we want to play and our identity for 60 minutes," Bednar said. "To me, you can't worry about the result. For me, it's about that process and starting the game right and continuing to push. A more narrow focus, a shift-to-shift focus, I think can help us. If we can do that, we'll give ourselves a good chance to win. We've proven it so far this year."
The Avalanche was riding a three-game winning streak prior to falling 3-1 at Dallas 10 days ago. The Stars were 1-3-0 prior to that outing but have now won four in a row and are only three points off from the division lead.
"It is one of those things that you need a short memory on both sides of it," said Matt Duchene of getting the club back to its winning ways. "It's the hardest thing to do. You can't ride the roller coaster. I think for us right now is that we got to get back to pulling their weight, playing like they can. Hopefully that four-day break allowed us to forget and get that bad taste out of our mouth from the last three games, and we can reset and start over."
Colorado had three practices and one complete day off in its time between contests, and the players are itching to get back into a contest that counts in the standings.
"It felt like a long time. I don't think I've ever had a weekend off during the season other than a scheduled break," MacKinnon said. "We're excited. It's obviously a big game for us. We're on a little skid after a good start to the season and a couple injuries, but we got to make up for it tonight."
The Avalanche's matchup is its second of five contests versus the Stars, and the season series between these Central Division foes will actually wrap up fairly quick. Colorado plays Dallas again at home on Nov. 22 and Dec. 3 before closing their set in Texas on Jan. 13, two weeks before the NHL All-Star Weekend.