Avalanche, Stars try to 'break through' in Game 7 of Western Second Round

Ian Cole was answering a question about what Game 7 of the Western Conference Second Round means to his team. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman just as easily could have been talking about the opponent too.

"Does tomorrow define the Colorado Avalanche organization?" Cole said Thursday. "Maybe, maybe not. But if we are able to win and accomplish our goal, that certainly would define the Colorado Avalanche as an organization.
"I think it's important we know where we are and how important that game is."
That deciding game is against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday (4 p.m. ET; USA, SN, TVAS). Colorado tied the series by winning Game 5 on Monday and Game 6 on Wednesday.
RELATED: [Complete Avalanche vs. Stars series coverage]
One of these teams is going to take the step it couldn't last season by advancing to the conference final, and the other is going to go home wondering if it has what it takes.
The Stars and Avalanche each lost in Game 7 of the second round by one goal last year; Dallas 2-1 in double overtime at the St. Louis Blues, and Colorado 3-2 at the San Jose Sharks.
"We all know what happened last year, the guys who have been here for a while," Stars captain Jamie Benn said. "Here we are again in a Game 7. What a great opportunity to break through tomorrow and get a win and move on."
The Stars haven't been to the conference final since 2008, when they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games. They are 0-3 in Game 7 since defeating the Avalanche in Game 7 of the conference final in 2000.
The Avalanche are trying to get to the conference final for the first time since 2002, which was also the last time they won a Game 7, defeating the Sharks in the second round. They're 0-4 in Game 7 since.
"Regardless of where you're born, Game 7 is a universal language," Cole said. "It's definitely a little more excitement to get going and to play. I snapped awake at like 4:30 in the morning before Game 6, ready to play. Hopefully that doesn't happen again with Game 7. Definitely a lot of excitement, a great opportunity that I think everyone on our team is well aware of."
The winner will advance to face either the Vancouver Canucks or Vegas Golden Knights, who will play Game 7 of their second-round series in Edmonton, the West hub city, on Friday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS).

Cole said the differences between the Colorado team that lost Game 7 against San Jose last season and the one that has won two in a row against Dallas to force Game 7 this time are significant.
"We're a year older, a year more mature, we've added some huge pieces to our team, and I think our ability to withstand those momentum swings has gotten better," Cole said. "They're going to come out hard, they're going to push us, they're going to try to win. It's our job to withstand that and certainly turn the tide and make it advantageous for us."
The Avalanche also aren't alarmed anymore, if they ever were, about playing their No. 3 goalie, Michael Hutchinson.
Hutchinson has won the past two games, making 58 saves on 62 shots, after being forced into the lineup because Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz are unfit to play.
"He's been fantastic," Cole said of Hutchinson. "I think he has a very cool, calm demeanor and that permeates the team a bit when you see your goalie being calm. … No one is asking him to have a 50-game shutout. He's come in, he's done his job well."
But the expectation changes now because the Stars are also facing elimination.
"We've played two Game 7s already, now Dallas is going to play one," Bednar said. "We have to predict they're going to play their best game of the series."
The Stars are different from last season too, particularly with the additions of forwards Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry, who each has played in Game 7 seven times. Dallas signed them because of their experience in high-stakes situations.
"These are the opportunities you can step up and push your career to another level," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "Get into Game 7s and come up big and your team moves on, it enhances your career that you're able to raise your game to another level."
Bowness said the Stars have been talking about playing games of this magnitude since he took over as coach Dec. 10, replacing Jim Montgomery.
"But now it's up to the individual to rise to that challenge, to take your game to another level and want to be on the ice, and want to be a factor in the outcome of the game in a positive way," Bowness said. "Don't be shy. Don't be nervous. It's when you have to face yourself as a man and a professional. 'Game 7, I can handle this challenge.'"