The Dallas Stars are preparing to take on the Colorado Avalanche in Denver for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Avalanche are looking to even the series back up after dropping both Game 2 and 3 in overtime. The Stars lead the series 2-1 despite only have led the score in three combined games plus overtime for a little over a minute. That's the beauty of hockey, right?
Current and former Stars were the only ones to get on the board in Game 3's 2-1 overtime win. First Valeri Nichushkin for the Avalanche, with Jamie Benn tying it up and Tyler Seguin scoring his first game-winning overtime goal as a Dallas Star.
The Stars also spoiled Avalanche captain, Gabriel Landeskog's return to hockey, the first time he's played a game since winning the Stanley Cup in June of 2022. It did not take him long to get back into the swing of things, throwing a big hit on former teammate and good friend, Mikko Rantanen, in his first shift of the game.
Dallas, while missing two of their biggest names, in Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen, have been keeping two of Colorado's biggest names quiet with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar going pointless in Game 3. Colorado's head coach, Jared Bednar, made it clear that they had "too many passengers" and needed several players to step up.
Stars Forward, Oskar Back, left the game with an oblique strain and was able to "freeze" it and returned to the game. At morning skate, head coach Pete DeBoer, stated Back was a game-time decision. If he is unable to play, Mavrik Bourque will slot back in. Otherwise, the lineup is the same for both teams. Jake Oettinger and Mackenzie Blackwood are between the pipes for both teams.
Heiskanen has been a full participant in practices and morning skates on this trip, taking line rushes and working on the power-play. The last update DeBoer gave stated that he was making progress, but has not taken any "planned contact" and that would be his next step before returning. So he will not make his return for Game 4.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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