Colorado Avalanche Face Biggest Game of the Year in Dallas

The Colorado Avalanche must beat their Central Division rival Dallas Stars to stay in the playoff picture. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable.

The Colorado Avalanche have more than a four-point night in front of them. You could argue that tonight’s game is the biggest of the year so far.

Colorado is facing the Stars in Dallas. The Stars are one of three teams the Avs are fighting with over a playoff spot. At the time of writing, Dallas has the first wild card spot with three more points and a game in hand. Minnesota has two extra points and the second wild card, while Phoenix has just one fewer point and a game in hand.

Like I said, this Dallas game feels like it’s worth more than four points. It’s a must-win in regulation. Even that won’t put Colorado in the bracket over Minnesota, but it will get the Avs closer.

Dallas is gunning for the playoffs this year. They got their stars, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, in line after a tongue-lashing from the team CEO. Alexander Radulov escaped that wrath, but he was benched last game for being late to practice. They traded for a prime forward, Mats Zuccarello, only to see him score in his first game… and get injured.

The Stars are coming off a shutout win over the New York Rangers. They’re 5-5-0 in their last 10. The Avs, meanwhile, are fresh off their overtime win against the Red Wings. They’re 6-3-1 in their last 10.

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: Mar 5, 7:00 pm MT
TV Networks: ALT,  FS-SW (Stars’ Feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)

Injury and Roster Update

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov went into the boards awkwardly in the home game against the Detroit Red Wings. Actually, he seemed to get injured as he was going down and his right arm bent badly against the ice:

He seemed to think he had broken his arm:

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We all breathed a sigh of relief when he returned to finish the game. However, Zadorov didn’t travel with the team. He’s going to “stick around for further evaluation.”  Ryan Graves will take his place in the lineup and let the record show that is now how I wanted the rookie to get his next shot.

In strange news, the Avalanche have recalled Andrew Agozzino from the Colorado Eagles. At the time of writing there’s no news of where he’ll slot into the lineup. However, Mikko Rantanen was seen going into the X-ray room after the Wings game. However, Jared Bednar has reported that he’s “fine.”

My bet is the fourth line, which is as amorphous as always. Gabriel Bourque played in the Anaheim Ducks game, but he spent lots of time sitting on the bench. Sheldon Dries replaced him in the Wings game — only to sit for stretches. I guess it’s Agozzino’s turn.

Scoring

Both the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars like to skate and score a lot. These games are usually pretty exciting. The two teams have faced each other twice already, both times in Colorado. They combined for 15 goals in those two games. The Avs prevailed both times.

Nonetheless, it behooves the Avs to get the first goal. The last goal, too , if at all possible. They play too much catch-up hockey.

Also, no stupid penalties, please. I’m looking at you, Ian Cole.

After tonight, the Colorado Avalanche return home for a four-game homestand starting with the Buffalo Sabres. They’ll face Dallas just one more time, on March 21 in Dallas.