Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche: Game Preview

The Avalanche have almost been sneaky about getting back within shouting distance of the playoffs. They are currently riding an 8-3-2 stretch, which primarily occurred through the holidays. Maybe I was just distracted, but I feel surprised by – and almost disconnected from the reality that the Avalanche now sit 5 points out of a wild-card slot. Big losses against the Blackhawks and Blues are still ringing in my ears, as well as that heartbreaking defeat from the sticks of the Blue Jackets.

It has helped the Avalanche that the Western Conference pace has cooled slightly from earlier in the season. The current wild-card playoff projection line is 94 points. That mark sat at more like 98 or 99 points a month or so ago.

All that aside, the time to clarify whether the Avalanche intend to solidify themselves as a contender for postseason play, or regress into that pretender costume that has fit them well for much of this season. As Bon Jovi would say, “Wooah-ohhh, we’re halfway there.” It’s go time, and as Marc-Andre Cliché as it is to say, every game is critical from here on out.

This afternoon, we are treated to a matinee between the Dallas Stars and your, Colorado Avvvvalanche. The Stars are currently one standings point ahead of the Avalanche. The Avalanche leapfrogged the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. We might as well make it a two-fer! A win in regulation will jump the Avs over the Stars to 5th place in the Central Division, and get them within 3 points of a playoff spot.

Game Breakdown:

The what: Dallas Stars (43 points) @ Colorado Avalanche (42 points)

The when: 1:00 pm MST (Don’t be late, the game starts early)

The where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado (or the Can as we like to call it)

The why: You can’t watch playoff football all day. Throw in some hockey too, eh.

Catch the action on Altitude or tune in to the Mose on the radio waves.

Keys to the Game:

1. Semyon Varlamov. It goes without saying, but Varly has put his little burgundy and blue friends in his backpack and carried them the past two games. Dallas is one of the more potent offenses in the NHL, and enter in the top-5 in goals scored per game. If Varly can be himself, and hold the Stars to 2 or fewer goals, the Avalanche have a great chance of winning. This is because…

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2. Punish the weakness, and bust some slumps. While the Stars are offensively adept, they are defensively deficient. Only Buffalo and Edmonton are more porous when it comes to protecting their net. The Avalanche need to use this opportunity to really get the offense humming. Matt Duchene could use a big night, and has shined like a star against Dallas before. His buddy Gabriel Landeskog could use a goal too. This game is ripe to be a scoring affair, and winning that race to three goals will be critical in deciding the winner.

3. Clench the talons, but spread the wings. Erik Johnson, AKA “The Condor,” had himself a very robust game against Ottawa on Thursday night. EJ was a monster in the offensive zone, controlling the play at will, and jumping down low to create offense. He also ended up with the game-winning goal. However, he wasn’t at his best in the defensive zone, and made a couple of mistakes that cost the Avs. This team needs to play loose and have fun. Let those wings spread, like EJ did in the offensive zone. They also need to tighten up their fundamentals, and make sure they are mentally sharp for a full 60 minutes. The Avs can’t afford to give away games because of a mental error or one critical mistake. Talons need to be clenched.

It’s all about balance for “The Condor” and friends. The symbolic analogy I’m going to use, in honor of EJ’s new nickname… is clench the talons, but spread the wings. That’s how the Avalanche will get back in this thing.

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