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The Colorado Avalanche were able to snap a four-game losing streak by narrowly defeating the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night, and will try and keep the momentum from that big win going when they face those same Stars on Saturday night. The Avalanche should be well-rested for the game in Dallas, and will need their offense to stay hot if the hope to defeat the Stars for a second straight time.
The Avalanche have been idle since Wednesday’s contests, while the Stars got a huge shutout win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angles Kings on Thursday night. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog continues to have the hot hand for the team, with a shorthanded goal in each of the last two games. Ryan O’Reilly and Mark Olver each had a goal and an assist on Wednesday, as the Avalanche showcased their depth with a big night from their third and fourth lines. The line of Olver, Chuck Kobasew and Patrick Bordeleau accounted for two of the four goals, and ended the night with a combined five points.
Semyon Varlamov will be back between the pipes for the Avalanche on Saturday, and was a key to Wednesday’s win with 32 saves. It has been up-and-down year for Varlamov, but when he is at the top of his game the Avalanche have a chance to win against anyone (see: Chicago Blackhawks). A solid penalty kill has made things easier in front of him, and came up huge with a 6-for-6 performance on Wednesday. However, the Colorado power play is in a bit of a lull at the moment, with just one goal in the last five games. If Landeskog, Matt Duchene and P.A. Parenteau can have a big night, the Avalanche can hand the Stars another loss and maybe start working their way out of the Western Conference basement.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL blogger for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JKatje or add him to you network on Google.
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