Avalanche vs. Stars: Colorado looking to grab crucial series lead

The Colorado Avalanche will take on the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their opening-round series of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, looking to grab a crucial 3-2 series lead.

The Avs are coming off a dominant performance in Game 4, blanking the Stars 4-0, with MacKenzie Blackwood and Gabe Landeskog shining for Colorado.

Blackwood got his first career playoff shutout, turning aside 23 shots for the win. Blackwood has been sensational in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, quickly dispelling any uncertainty regarding his lack of playoff experience.

Thus far, the Avalanche have gotten what they were looking for in Blackwood. He’s provided stable goaltending and has inspired confidence in his team.

Landeskog, meanwhile, was a huge question mark for the Avalanche heading into the postseason. Rumors about his return to the ice proved to be correct following his conditioning stint with the Eagles. Now that Landeskog is back in the fold, it only took him one game to make his way back into the top six.

He reward the team’s faith in him by scoring a goal and adding an assist on Saturday night. That game was also crucial for Brock Nelson who tallied two assists on the night. But the biggest difference in Game 4, which Avs’ fans hope will carry into Game 5, will be the toughness and intensity Colorado showed.

The Avalanche not only hung tough with the Stars, but they also matched the grind level Dallas used to eke out back-to-back wins in overtime. If the Avalanche continue the play shown in Game 4, the series could easily turn into a 3-2 lead for Colorado by the time the final buzzer sounds.

No changes expected in Colorado Avalanche in Game 5

As for the Colorado Avalanche lineup for Game 5, no changes should be expected. The only player who remains sidelined is Ross Colton. Colton, however, does not appear ready to return. That situation means that there won’t be much competition for spots in the lineup at this point.

With Landeskog in the top six, Jonathan Drouin slides into the bottom six. That’s fine insofar as giving the Avs a little extra punch in the bottom of the lineup. Given the specific circumstance of Game 5, coach Jared Bednar may be compelled to dress Miles Wood in place of Parker Kelly on the fourth line.

Nevertheless, Kelly and Logan O’Connor have looked good on the checking line, providing plenty of grit and scoring chances. Still, the Avalanche lineup for Game 5 will be question of “v

So, the Avalanche won’t try to fix anything, likely rolling with the same lineup that delivered a dominant performance in Game 4.