The Dallas Stars have the series lead, but can the Colorado Avalanche come back? Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Suter [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2NDE2ODg2NTc1OTMyNzU2/usatsi_23253222_168400847_lowres.jpg] Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Suter The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced Colorado Avalanche right winger Valeri Nichushkin has been placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program. Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months before being eligible to apply for reinstatement. The 29-year-old from Chelyabinsk, Russia, had played in all eight of the Avalanche's playoff games to date, recording nine goals and 10 points. He'll be suspended through the remainder of the playoffs and the beginning of next season, becoming eligible for reinstatement in mid-November. Nichushkin was last away from the Avalanche to receive care from the NHL and NHLPA program from January [https://thehockeynews.com/news/avalanches-valeri-nichushkin-to-receive-care-from-nhl-nhlpa-player-assistance-program] until late February when he was cleared to practise with the team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/latest-news/valeri-nichushkin-placed-in-nhl-player-assistance-program-suspended-for-6-months]. He played 54 games in the regular season, recording 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points. In 512 career games played between the Dallas Stars and Avalanche, he's had 116 goals and 158 assists for 274 points. The 10th overall draft pick in 2013 also played 72 career playoff games to date and recorded 35 points, including 15 in 20 games when Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022. The Avalanche face the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of their second-round series Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Stars currently lead the series 2-1. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
