Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and defenseman Esa Lindell (23) and Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/dcc4d06c-ec94-4be1-9112-a9edcd7e2992.jpeg] Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and defenseman Esa Lindell (23) and Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images A riveting revenge matchup is on the horizon as the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] prepare to face the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the final practice before they left for Texas, Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar confirmed to the media that injured Captain Gabe Landeskog, who has missed the last three regular seasons due to an injury, is an option for round one. Landeskog has been skating with the team regularly for the last few weeks, very consistently since his professional return with the Colorado Eagles on April 12th. Following today's optional morning skate, Coach Bednar would not confirm if Landeskog is set to be in the lineup, saying, "You'll have to watch and see." Based on looks and habits, per Evan Rawal, it looks like he may be a healthy scratch tonight, but given the sensitivity with this type of injury, it's safe to say the standard may not be trustworthy where he is concerned. Based on those who were working late with Toby Petersen during morning skate, it's looking like defenseman Josh Manson, who hasn't played a game since March 14th, may return to the lineup. Coach Bednar also refused to confirm a starting goaltender. "I'm not gonna give you guys any lineup stuff for the whole series," the coach said during post-morning skate availability. Therefore, confirmation concerning a starter in net will come from the Colorado Avalanche social media page (follow on X @Avalanche [https://x.com/Avalanche]). Dallas Head Coach Pete DeBoer said today that defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who hasn't played a game since January 28th after taking a hit to the knee from Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, is considered day-to-day. The Finland native skated in a no-contact jersey at morning skate on Saturday, and Coach DeBoer said that while this is a good development, his next step to returning is taking contact during practice. While he will likely not play in Saturday's game, there is a chance he could return before this round ends. The Big Show talks about Rantanen agaist former team. Stars forward Jason Robertson took a hit into the boards from Nashville forward Michael McCarron during their final game of the regular season. DeBoer classified him as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, and as such, he will miss the first game of the series on Saturday. No confirmation on a starting goaltender for Dallas as of Saturday morning. WHERE/HOW TO WATCH THE GAME: Puck Drop: 6:55 p.m. Mountain Time T.V. Broadcast: TNT, truTV, Max, SN, SN360, TVAS, Altitude (Avalanche), Victory+ (Stars) Radio Broadcast: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Avalanche), The Ticket 96.7 FM (Stars)
