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Preview: Central Division showcase with the Stars

Apr 1, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck past Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) in the third period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche host perhaps the season’s biggest game up to this point. It comes with a visit to the Mile High City from the Dallas Stars.

The two are right up at the front of the Central Division, eyeing the top spot alongside the Winnipeg Jets. A win for either team will help their fortunes. When they last faced off, the Avs won in the Lone Star State, 5-4 back on January 4 in overtime.

Colorado Avalanche (35-19-5)

The Avs are in desperate need of a win. They’ve lost their last two games in a row, most recently in heartbreaking fashion 4-3 on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They played an overall good game against Toronto, but let little mistakes make a big difference in Tyler Berttuzzi’s birthday hat-trick winner. Colorado did get good news though, with Valeri Nichushkin returning to the team after going through the NHL Player Assistance Program.

While he is still a ways away from playing, the influence he will bring to the team might be big down the line. In the meantime, will Nathan MacKinnon drag this team back into the win column with another massive performance?

Projected Lines

Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Miles Wood (28) – Ross Colton (20) – Logan O’Connor (25)
Jonathan Drouin (27) – Ryan Johansen (12) – Zach Parise (9)
Andrew Cogliano (11) – Chris Wagner (14) – Joel Kiviranta (94)

Devon Toews (7) – Cale Makar (8)
Sam Girard (49) – Josh Manson (42)
Jack Johnson (3) – Bowen Byram (4)

Alexandar Georgiev (40)

Dallas Stars (36-16-8)

The Stars are coming into Colorado tired, after playing last night in the first of a back-to-back against old friend Patrick Roy and the New York Islanders. Dallas lost to the Isles in a 3-2 final in overtime.

This quick one-game road trip for the Stars is important, as previously mentioned for both teams. Dallas will be looking to extend the gap between themselves and Colorado, currently four points ahead of them at the moment.

Matt Duchene will come back to Colorado once again, where he always seems to find success. Alongside Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, and Joe Pavelski, all four love scoring against the Avs. Will they do the same once again and hand Colorado their third straight loss?

Projected Lines

Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Ty Dellandrea (10)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Logan Stankoven (11)
Radek Faksa (12) – Sam Steel (18) – Craig Smith (15)

Thomas Harley (55) – Miro Hiskanen (4)
Ryan Suter (20) – Esa Lindell (23)
Derrick Pouliot (33) – Joel Hanley (44)

Jake Oettinger (29)

Broadcast Details

Time: 7:30 p.m. MT

Watch: ESPN+, Hulu

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio FM 92.5

Opponent’s Beat: Defending Big D