Series Talk: [C2] Dallas Stars vs [C3] Colorado Avalanche

[AvalancheRy]

To me this series comes down to Nichuskin and goaltending. The Avs are a different team with Nuke in the lineup - and may have been able to take the Stars out last season if they had him.

 

[NoVaCapsFan]

Marquee matchup in Round 1. Either of these teams could win it all. I picked Avs in 6.

 

[6ix]

Avs in 5. Not sold on Oettinger

 

[57special]

I'm sold on Oettinger, but the rest of the team is playing terribly, compared to how they were earlier in the season. I haven't watched CO to see how Nelson and Coyle are fitting in, but if they do then i think CO wins it.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I picked the Avs in 6. Plenty of examples of teams underachieving in the regular season and then switching it on in the playoffs, which gives the Stars some hope - but I think the Avs look primed for a run.

 

[MrHeiskanen]

I picked the Avs in 6. Plenty of examples of teams underachieving in the regular season and then switching it on in the playoffs, which gives the Stars some hope - but I think the Avs look primed for a run.

4th in the league is underachieving?

Jeez expectations are high.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

4th in the league is underachieving?

Jeez expectations are high.

I should have clarified “underachieving down the stretch”. My bad.

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Personally I think the Stars were a better match for Colorado last year when Heiskanen was hot and they had Tanev who played fantastically against the Avs and I believe was their MVP in that series shutting down Mackinnon. Without Tanev and Heiskanen I personally just don't see the Stars beating the current Avalanche team.

Tanev was a pylon.

 

[account deactivated]

I still think the Avs sweep it (unless they start off flat in Game 1 and don't pick it up) or win in 5 at the most, which sucks because I'm not even feeling like doing any chirping (half the fun in the playoffs) because of how terrible the Stars are finishing out the regular season.

 

[MrHeiskanen]

I still think the Avs sweep it (unless they start off flat in Game 1 and don't pick it up) or win in 5 at the most, which sucks because I'm not even feeling like doing any chirping (half the fun in the playoffs) because of how terrible the Stars are finishing out the regular season.

Man up.

 

[Kaner9]

Avs in 7 bc gabe came back

 

[Tralfamadore]

One of these teams has absolutely zero chance and I'm not gonna say who.

 

[Terry Yake]

must suck for the avs to have traded rantanen only for the canes to flip him to one of their biggest rivals

stars in 7

 

[PromisedLand]

its a travesty that this is a first round match up. that said.... Otteinger gets hot and its lights out if not Avs take this as dallas' horses are too old to match the offensive power that Avs have

btw is Landy good to go in the playoffs for the Avs?

EDIT: Damn forgot about Rantanen. This should be interesting LMAO

 

[Sticksandsun]

Just like the depth and overall makeup of Dallas better.
I think it's over in 6 in favor of Dallas and Colorado needs a mini retool to keep their competitive window open.

If Dallas falls in the first round, I also see some big changes in their veteran leadership.

I say this all without having watched them this year other than against Florida.
It'll be the only Western series I watch.

 

[Mez]

Imagine if Rantenan scores in OT to eliminate the Avs....would be crazy.

 

[JKG33]

I'm cheering for Dallas, but I just don't see how they pull this off. They have the edge in forward depth (that top 9 is insane) and goaltending, but Colorado has the two best players in the series. The real difference is on defence, where Dallas' group looks below average with Heiskanen and a lottery candidate group without him.

 

[flyfysher]

Imagine if Rantenan scores in OT to eliminate the Avs....would be crazy.

Every time I imagine Rants doing something it’d be:

1. He fell on his arse again?
2. He entered the zone too quickly resulting in an off sides call.
3. He scored another ENG.

 

[Ncit3]

must suck for the avs to have traded rantanen only for the canes to flip him to one of their biggest rivals

stars in 7

You’re about a month late, Brodie.

 

[Refalanhe]

Imagine if Joel Kiviranta scores a hat trick to eliminate the Stars in game 7.

 

[Avsfan1921]

Imagine if Joel Kiviranta scores a hat trick to eliminate the Stars in game 7.

Would be better if it was nuke, but we all know he won’t last the series lol…

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Is Heiskanen back yet? He needs to be at 100% if the Stars win this.

 

[MikeFolignosHelmet]

Colorado in 7. A late 3rd period goal from unsung hero Jack Drury moves the Avalanche on to the 2nd round.

 

[Cypher]

Avs will be well rested to say the least. First team to finish the regular season, heck no other team finishes until Tuesday.

And Mack, Makar, Toews, etc. didn't even fly out to Cali for this 2-game road trip Sat-Sun, so even more rest for them.

 

[catters078]

Get the feeling Pete Deboer will try to line match his top line (Robertson-Hintz-Rantanen) against Mackinnons line as much as he can.

Hintz is the Stars best 2 way forward and has the speed to stay with Mackinnon, while Rantanen has been really good defensively I've noticed since he became a star (Didn't know this was part of his game)

Think the direction will be try to match and limit whatever the Avs top line does. If they can close to offset each other's scoreboard impact, it gives Dallas a chance to win the series from their other lines.

Colorado has done a decent job to retool lines 2,3,4 but I'd still give the Stars a chance to beat them.

Question will be how well can Robertson-Hintz-Rantanen play against Mackinnon.