Stars vs. Avs Game 5 Preview: Dallas Domination in Denver a Complete Effort

Stephen Kerr

May 15, 2024, 17:29

Stephen Kerr

May 15, 2024, 17:29

The Stars won both road games against Colorado based on depth scoring, defense, goaltending and special teams. They'll need more of the same in game 5.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Stars vs. Avs Game 5 Preview: Dallas Domination in Denver a Complete Effort

Coming into the Stanley Cup Second Round Series with the Colorado Avalanche, the Dallas Stars knew they would be facing a different team than their first-round opponent, the Vegas Golden Knights.

That series went the full seven games, with each team netting 16 goals over that span for a 2.29 average per game.

Colorado had just eliminated the Winnipeg Jets in five games with a 28-15 goal margin. Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar all tied for the team lead with nine points (2-7-9). Arturi Lehkonen had eight points (5-3-8) and Valeri Nichushkin chipped in with seven points (7-0-0).

If Dallas wished to contain the Avs' four top guns, they would need a masterful defensive effort from everyone, forwards and blueliners alike.

Games 1 and 2 saw the Stars race out to three- and four-goal leads, respectively, only to see Colorado overtake them in Game 1 to win in overtime and almost do the same in Game 2, falling just short.

While a split on home ice after the first two games put the Stars in a better position than they were after two games against Vegas, they knew the screws would need to be even tighter heading to Denver for Game 3.

"They're an explosive team, and they've got a little bit of that mojo when they get in that spot where they can kind of throw caution to the wind and just try and create," Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said following Game 2's 5-3 victory. "We can be a little smarter in that situation, but you learn as the playoffs go on, and you gotta win all kinds of different ways."

The Stars learned that lesson well in games 3 and 4, limiting the Avalanche to just two goals total over the two games at Ball Arena. MacKinnon, Rantanen, Makar and Nichushkin were held to two points between them. (Nichushkin missed Game 4 after being placed in the NHL Player Assistance program and suspended for six months).

There are multiple reasons for the Stars' success in shutting down the attack of the NHL's highest-scoring team during the regular season: taking their game to the Avs rather than sitting back, blocking shots, stellar goaltending by Jake Oettinger, and solid special teams.

"Everybody's working hard together," Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who had a goal and two assists in Game 4, said. "It's a five-man job and of course Jake is playing well too. Our forwards are helping us a lot and we're working hard and trying to end plays quickly, and I think that's been great."

Staying Aggressive

Despite being outshot in the first two periods of Game 3, the Stars were relentless in looking for chances, and the persistence paid off. The Avs were constantly frustrated by not capitalizing on scoring chances (they had 28 after two periods to the Stars' 12 according to Natural Stat Trick), and they only managed seven shots on goal in the third.

Game 4 was more of the same, although this time it was Dallas who dominated in shots on goal 34-25, including a 14-2 advantage in the first period. They also won the battle in quality scoring chances (38-25), and blocked shots (27-12).

Wyatt Johnston, who would celebrate his 21st birthday the next day, ended his last day of being 20 with a bang, scoring a power play and shorthanded goal. He also had an assist, giving him three points on the night.

Perhaps his most impressive play was the shorthanded goal when he poked the puck away from Makar before the Avs defenseman could get it out of his own zone.

"All the little details, getting above, forechecking good spots, good routes," forward Jason Robertson said. "I think it's contagious on our bench. One guy sees it, another guy sees it, we just keep rolling."

Oettinger the Road Warrior

Jake Oettinger was once again a nearly impenetrable wall in both games at Ball Arena. The Stars netminder stopped 54 of 56 shots over the two games, continuing his success as a road warrior in the post-season. In five road games to this point, he is 4-1 with a 1.34 goals-against average and .954 save percentage.

"Words don't do justice for a guy like (Jake)," forward Tyler Seguin said after Game 3. "He knows the atmosphere and the start they were going to have. We needed him, and he always seems to rise to the occasion."

Special Teams Make a Difference

After giving up two power play goals from the Avalanche in Game 1, Dallas' penalty-kill unit has been flawless ever since. Colorado is 0-for-8 on the power play in the past three games. Johnston's shorthanded and power play goals contributed to the outstanding play on special teams. The Stars' power play has been impressive, going 4-for-10 (40%) in the series.

Closing It Out

The Stars are in a familiar position heading into Game 5 against the Avalanche. The two teams met in the second round of the 2020 post-season at the Edmonton bubble. Dallas had a 3-1 lead in that series only to see the Avs take it to a seventh game. An overtime goal by Joel Kiviranta gave the Stars a 5-4 win in Game 7 to salvage the series.

Dallas is hoping to finish off this series Wednesday at American Airlines Center, but elimination games are hardly ever easy. The Avs have had a couple of days to process the loss of Nichushkin, who was placed in the NHL Player Assistance program and suspended for six months. DeBoer expects a much different Colorado team that appeared shell-shocked in Game 4.

"We know it's going to be the toughest game to win, and they're going to be a tough out," DeBoer said Tuesday following the team's return to Dallas. "A lot of Stanley Cup champions on that team from only two years ago and a very deep team. We know it's going to be hard. At the same time, you only get so many of these elimination game opportunities, and you want to take advantage of them. As you move forward through the playoffs, rest is critical, so if you can eliminate a team in five instead of going six or seven, that makes a big difference."

Hintz Out, Faksa In

Forward Roope Hintz, who sustained an upper-body injury in Game 4, has been ruled out for Game 5, DeBoer announced Wednesday morning.

Hintz was cross-checked by MacKinnon late in the first period and blocked a shot by Sean Walker shortly after that before exiting the game. Radek Faksa, who scored the winning goal in Game 7 against Vegas, will replace Hintz in the lineup.

Defenseman Chris Tanev, who took a massive hit into the boards late in Game 4, will play Wednesday, DeBoer said. Craig Smith, who went out briefly on Monday, is also expected to play.