Game Preview: Avalanche at Stars

COLORADO AVALANCHE (34-20-5) AT DALLAS STARS (33-16-13)
1:30 PM MT | AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTERWATCH: ESPN+LISTEN: 92.5FM/950 AM
The Colorado Avalanche are set to face off against the Dallas Stars in a key Central Division contest Saturday afternoon. The matinee matchup is the second to last of the season, with the final happening on April 1 at Ball Arena, 7 p.m. MT.

LAST TIME OUT

The Avalanche had their six-game winning streak snapped Wednesday night by the hands of the New Jersey Devils, 7-5. Center Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, while forwards Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin and center J.T. Compher all also scored. Goaltender Justus Annunen stopped 22 of the 28 shots he faced.
The Stars last played on Thursday night, besting another Central Division opponent, the Chicago Blachawks, 5-2. Center Roope Hintz recorded a hat trick, with forward Jamie Benn and defenseman Esa Lindell also scoring for Dallas. Goalie Matt Murray made his first career start in the NHL, turning away 19 of the 21 shots that came his way.

HISTORY

Colorado is now 72-55-23 all-time against their divisional foe and is up 2-0 in the season series.

SCOUTING THE STARS

Forward Jason Robertson is the team's leader in both points (76) and goals (35) in 62 appearances. Robertson now has 201 career points (93g/108 assists), requiring the fifth-fewest games (190) in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history to reach 200 points (Dino Ciccarelli, 174 games; Neal Broten, 176; Bobby Smith, 176; Tyelr Seguin, 179). Center Roope Hintz is second on the team in points with 56 (29g/27a) in 54 games played.
The Stars also swung a trade Thursday, acquiring center Max Domi and goalie Dylan Wells in exchange for goalie Anton Khudobin and a 2025 2nd round pick.

LINEUP UPDATES

Avalanche

Pavel Francouz Lower body
Darren HelmLower body
Erik Johnson Lower body
Gabriel LandeskogLower body
Cale MakarUpper body
\Makar joined the team for practice on Friday and noted that he feels, "ready to go" for Saturday's game*

Stars

Luke GlendeningLower body
Joel Kiviranta Lower body
Scott Wedgewood Lower body

DOING THE MOST

Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is 2-0 all-time against the Stars, which includes a sparkling .955 Sv% and 1.44 GAA. Center Nathan MacKinnon is the team's active leader in career points against Dallas, with 33 (12g/21a) in 35 outings.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Goalie Jake Oettinger is 2-0 against Colorado, with an impressive .965 Sv% and 1.36 GAA. Forward Jamie Benn paces the Stars with 42 career points (13g/29a) in 52 appearances against the Avs.

NUMBERS GAME

35

MacKinnon's two goals on Wednesday moved him within one multi-goal outing of tying Anton Stastny for the sixth-most in franchise history.

100

Josh Manson recorded his 100th career assist.

200x2

With Valeri Nichushkin recording an assist and forward Artturi Lehkonen tallying two helpers, both players reached the 200th career point milestone.

400

J.T. Compher skated in his 400th career game on Wednesday.

QUOTE(S) THAT LEFT A MARK

"I'm excited to be here and do something special." - Center Lars Eller on being traded to the Avs