After pausing for reflection, Stars turn focus to Game 4

Game 4: Stars vs. Avalanche (Dallas leads 2-1)

The Stars have been a great example of handling change and living in the moment this year.
That's one of the reasons they are up 2-1 on the Colorado Avalanche in their best-of-seven, second-round playoff series. Dallas has overcome several bumps in the road, including a 2-1 hole against the Calgary Flames in the first round, and has come back from several deficits in the postseason.
So after a couple days to reflect on social issues after the NHLPA and the NHL agreed to shut down two days of games, the Stars say they should be able to focus on Sunday's Game 4.
"As a coach, you just can't take your eyes completely off the goal," said Stars interim coach Rick Bowness. "Our players came here, they want to win the Stanley Cup. They're supportive of what's been going on socially, which we're very proud of. Now, we've got a game (Sunday) and it's back to the playoffs, and it's back to trying to focus as much as we can.
"They're not going to forget about what's gone on the last couple days, clearly, everyone's going to continue to support what's been going on socially. But (Sunday's) a game day, and we have to be ready for that."
The Stars won five games in a row before Game 3 and have become a much better offensive team in the process. They have scored 28 goals over a six-game span, and have spread that scoring among several players. Miro Heiskanen leads all defensemen in scoring with 15 points, while Joe Pavelski and Denis Gurianov are tied for second in goal scoring with seven apiece.

Bowness and the coaching staff made some changes when they returned from the NHL's Pause to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and that has helped boost numbers for several players.
"The difference would be our D-men are far more involved offensively than we were in November," Bowness said. "We've been a streaky team, we get that, but the confidence is there that was there in November. We went into every game expecting to win and that's our attitude right now."
Dallas started the season 1-7-1, but then bounced back and went on a strong run. They started the playoff slow and then hit their stride. The Stars have done a very good job of adjusting and improving throughout the season.
"Right from Day 1, there wasn't anyone that is here now who didn't want to be here," said Stars captain Jamie Benn. "We're here for a reason -- to win the Stanley Cup. We've been committed right from Day 1. We had all the guys back in Dallas earlier than some of teams."
Yet, adjusting to the changes the coaching staff was seeking and getting to the level of playoff intensity took a little time. Dallas lost its first two round-robin games and had to rally to win its third. But that's just been part of the process, Pavelski said.
"We had a 13-day camp back in Dallas, and it was as good as I've been a part of," Pavelski said. "It's been a fun group to be around all year. We've won a lot of games, and we've won them in a lot of ways, and right now we have a lot of belief in a lot of the guys in the room."

Avalanche feel they just need to play their game

The Avalanche are coming off a huge comeback and are hoping the two days of reflection have given some of their injuries a chance to heal. However, they also know that they are not at 100 percent.
Defenseman Nikita Zadarov had to sit for long stretches of Game 3, but is expected to be ready to play Sunday. However, goalie Philipp Grubauer, defenseman Erik Johnson, and forwards Matt Calvert and Joonas Donskoi are not expected to play.
"We know we're a good enough team to win," said Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon. "We were hurt all season. We don't want to be hurt, but we have no choice but to put our best foot forward and go out there and battle. Hopefully those guys can get healthy so we can win this series and in later rounds. We got to get through this round. Down 2-1, it's a huge one (Sunday) and we're going out there looking to tie it up."
The Avalanche have also dealt with plenty of adversity, and have been one of the best teams in the playoffs. So it's been next up as back-up goalie Pavel Fracouz and former Stars defenseman Kevin Connauton have stepped into place.

"Unfortunately, injuries are part of the playoffs, but it gives guys like me an opportunity to jump in there," said forward Logan O'Connor, who jumped into Game 3. "I just wanted to set myself up with the best chance of success, fitness-wise off the ice. I knew there would be an opportunity at some point that might come along. It was pretty cool to get out there for my first playoff game."
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said he's been happy with the players.
"The guys that we brought in, the extra guys at the start, were brought in for a reason," Bednar said of the expanded playoff roster. "The biggest one, first and foremost, is that we feel that they have the ability to come in and help us win hockey games."

Khudobin keeps rolling in net

Stars goalie Ben Bishop has been skating but still is "unfit to play," according to Bowness. That means Anton Khudobin will get his eighth straight start. Khudobin, 34, had not started a playoff games before this season. He currently sits 6-4 in the postseason this year with a 2.75 goals against average and .913 save percentage.
"When I play more, I feel better," said Khudobin. "It's a different scenario right now playing every other day, but at the same time it's playoff. You can't think about it -- just have to prepare and just go play."

Bowness said the team plays well in front of Khudobin and has immense confidence in him.
"He's played very steady for us," Bowness said. "What we're seeing, we're not surprised. We've grown to expect stellar play from him from the moment we've signed him. He's been consistent, and we all know he's a tremendous competitor in that net. The guys love playing in front of him, and we know exactly what we're going to get every night he plays."

By the numbers

13-5

That's the special teams goal advantage for Colorado in the playoffs. The Avalanche have scored 13 power play goals and surrendered five while killing penalties. Dallas has eight power play goals for and nine against.

20

That's the point total for MacKinnon, who has seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 11 playoff games. He leads the NHL in postseason scoring.

15

That's the point total for Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen. The 21-year-old leads all defensemen in playoff scoring with three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 12 games played.

He said it

"Our players came into camp early and in great shape physically and mentally and had a very strong, productive training camp with the mindset that we are here to win the Stanley Cup. It's the sacrifices that everybody has to make, personally with their families, which we've done. There have been a lot of sacrifices made by everybody and now we're trying to make those sacrifices worthwhile."
-- Bowness

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Stars projected lineup

Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Alexander Radulov
Mattias Janmark - Joe Pavelski - Denis Gurianov
Andrew Cogliano - Radek Faksa - Blake Comeau
Jason Dickinson - Roope Hintz - Corey Perry
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Jamie Oleksiak - Miro Heiskanen
Andrej Sekera - Taylor Fedun
Anton Khudobin
Jake Oettinger
Unfit to Play: Stephen Johns, Ben Bishop
Scratched: Justin Dowling, Jason Robertson, Ty Dellandrea, Thomas Harley, Joel Kiviranta, Nick Caamano, Joel Hanley, Gavin Bayreuther, Landon Bow
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.