Game 7 Preview: Do-or-die for both the Avalanche and Stars

Will the Avalanche finally best the Stars in a game seven?

It’s the game day we’ve all been waiting for as the Colorado Avalanche visit the Dallas Stars to settle this best-of-seven, round one series with one final showdown. Can the Avalanche win their first win against Dallas in game seven? Will Dallas once again send Colorado packing?

Colorado Avalanche

It feels like a relatively simple approach, but the Avalanche need to duplicate what they did in games four and six, and they should find themselves on the good side of this matchup. Colorado was relentless in attack during game six, and although Dallas hung around, it wasn’t enough for them to stay within reach.

Tonight is a night when getting the first goal, getting key stops from your netminder, and staying out of the box will prove paramount. You can’t let the Dallas crowd remain in it, so let’s hope Colorado comes out hot again. I’m not saying they need to have 19 SOG in the first, but 15 is a good benchmark, in my opinion.

Makar finally achieved his goal, and it was in an empty-netter. Sometimes that’s the break an elite player like Makar needs. He was also in on all but one other goal and Manson’s EN tally. I’ll guess that he and MacKinnon rise to the occasion tonight.

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Jonathan Drouin — Charlie Coyle — Joel Kiviranta
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinski

Dallas Stars

For Dallas, it’s just as simple an approach, but the antithesis of what Colorado will want to do. The Stars will focus on mitigating the damage from superstars like MacKinnon and Makar while simultaneously attempting to keep Colorado on the perimeter.

Pete DeBoer openly criticized the refs after game six and was just as disappointed in some of the bounces his club got (or didn’t get). Keep an eye on how the zebras play a role in this one, and don’t be surprised if Dallas draws a few with this tactic from DeBoer.

Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz both had four points in the second period in game six, which is an NHL record for most points in the second period. Perhaps Colorado should do a little keying of their own and focus on limiting the Moose’s looks.

Projected Lineup:

Mikael Granlund — Roope Hintz — Mikko Rantanen
Mason Marchment — Matt Duchene — Tyler Seguin
Jamie Benn — Wyatt Johnston — Evgenii Dadonov
Oskar Back — Sam Steel — Colin Blackwell

Esa Lindell — Cody Ceci
Thomas Harley — Ilya Lyubushkin
Lian Bichsel — Alex Petrovic

Note: Lian Bichsel took a nasty spill in game six and was visibly wobbly; however, he returned in the third period.

Goaltenders

We should see our seventh installment of Blackwood vs. Oettinger unless something unforeseen hits the news desk. Oettinger has been excellent in keeping his team in games when the Avalanche skaters pour it on. Blackwood struggled in game five and a bit in game six, but ultimately has been stout for the Avalanche. Both goalies will have to be good tonight if they want their team to have a chance at advancing.