2020 NHL Stanley Cup Series Review: (2) Colorado Avalanche vs. (3) Dallas Stars

A rematch of two teams from the round robin part of the playoffs, as the Colorado Avalanche had beat the Dallas Stars during that time. This time, roles would reverse. While they did take an early series lead, it took seven games and an overtime for the Dallas Stars to eliminate the Colorado Avalanche and earn a spot in the Conference Finals.

Games 

Dallas Stars - 5

Colorado Avalanche - 3

Goals came quick in this one. Just four minutes in, Jamie Benn fed Tyler Seguin out front, one-timed it past Philip Grubauer to get Dallas out in front. Just over a minute later, a cycle in the Stars zone led to the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon getting to the top of the circles and wristing one past a screened Anton Khudobin. The tie lasted less than five minutes, as a Blake Comeau blast from the point bounced off the stick of a Colorado defender and into the back of the net. Benn helped set up another goal late in the period, as the Stars forward found Alex Radulov streaking into the slot. Radulov proceeded to slide a backhand through Grubauer to extend the Stars lead. The start of the second didn't look good for the Avalanche. While on the penalty kill, Grubauer kicked out his right pad to make a save, and was not able to recover after that. Pavel Francouz was sent in to replace an injured Grubauer. Colorado managed to get their backup goalie some goal support moments later, as Gabriel Landeskog jammed one past a sliding Khudobin. The Stars responded five minutes later, as a 2-on-1 saw Seguin's initial shot get stopped. Radulov was right there for the rebound though, as the Stars forward put it home to restore Dallas' two-goal lead. Despite a few chances, it wasn't until near the end of the period when Colorado would strike back. A point shot from Samuel Girard was deflected by MacKinnon before entering the back of the Stars net. Colorado's best efforts to tie it was not enough, as they were blanked in the third period. Roope Hintz added an insurance goal midway through the third, snapping it past the glove of Francouz. The 5-3 win gave Dallas the series lead.

Dallas Stars - 5

Colorado Avalanche - 2

Colorado had to make lineup changes for this one, as both Grubauer and Erik Johnson were out due to injuries from Game 1. They did catch a break early one though, as a powerplay helped them take the lead. Mikko Rantanen's saucer pass found MacKinnon, who had no problem one-timing the puck over the shoulder of Khudobin and under the crossbar. Despite dominating on the shot counter (20-8) in the first, that MacKinnon blast remained the lone goal in the period. About nine minutes into the second, it was MacKinnon's turn to assist Rantanen, as the duo connected again on the powerplay to give Colorado a two-goal lead. Penalty trouble by the Avalanche soon after turned the tide of the game. First, it was Joe Pavelski one-timing a cross-ice pass on a 5-on-3 into the Colorado net to break the shutout. 43 seconds later, Radek Faksa whacked in a rebound on the man-advantage to tie the game. The Avalanche did get a 5-on-3 opportunity of their won later in the period, but their chances were not as successful. Late in the period, a passing attempt by Benn would bounce off the stick of an Avalanche player, hit the shoulder of Radulov, float over Francouz, and land in the net. The bounces went Dallas' way on that one, as that sequence of events is what gave them the lead. The Stars managed to add one more before the period was done. Esa Lindell's rush ended when he crashed the crease and jammed the puck past Francouz. A lengthy review was needed, as it was unclear if the puck ever crossed the line. The call in the ice (goal) would stand, as there was no clear shot of the puck not crossing the line. Much like the first game, the Avalanche could not put away their chances in the third period. Jamie Oleksiak added an empty netter with 10 seconds left in the game, as Dallas' win put them up 2-0 in the series.

Colorado Avalanche - 6

Dallas Stars - 4

 

Dallas took the shot advantage early in this game, and their efforts would eventually pay off. Midway through the first period, the Benn-Seguin connection combined once again, as Seguin finished off a pass from Benn to put the Stars in the lead. The Avalanche had a couple chances later in the period, but the score would remain 1-0 after 20 minutes. The scoreboard belonged to Colorado in the second. Nikita Zadorov got things started a minute into the first, as the defenseman's blast from the blue line beat the outstretched glove of Khudobin. Less than four minutes later, a snap shot from Andre Burakovsky from the top of the circle found it's way to the back of the net, giving the Avalanche the lead. Midway through the second period, Cale Maker powered his way to the slot, but his shot was stoped. However, Landeskog skated in and slid in the rebound, extending Colorado's lead. The third period was a period of two-halves. The first belonged to Dallas, as the Stars got a couple goals. Denis Gurianov got the rally started, one-timing a shot past Francouz to bring Dallas to within a goal to tie. Less than five minutes alter, a Blake Comeau blasted a loose puck in to the back of the Colorado net to tie the game. Midway through the period, Benn managed to redirect a point shot from Lindell, resulting in the puck beating a screened Francouz. Dallas' lead lasted less than two minutes. A 2-on-1 with MacKinnon and Rantanen finished as you might suspect, as Rantanen one-timed a pass into the back of the Stars net. About a minute later, Nazem Kardi would get his first goal of the series, as he redirected a point shot from Kevin Connauton past Khudobin. The Avalanche held off the Stars from there, with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare sealing the game with an empty net goal. The win was Colorado's first of the series.

Colorado Avalanche - 4

Dallas Stars - 5

 

Looking to correct what happened late last game, Dallas wanted to get out ahead in this one. While they didn't register a shot unitl six minutes into the first period, they made it count. Faska's shot was stopped, but a bobbled rebound allowed John Klingberg to come in and sweep it into the Colorado net to open the scoring. A powerplay opportunity moments later help the Stars extend their lead. Similar to their first goal, Hintz's shot was blocked, but Faska was there to put home the loose puck. Minutes later, another powerplay lead to another goal for Dallas. This time no rebound was needed, as Radulov's shot was tipped by Benn, causing the puck to go under Francouz's glove and into the net. It wasn't until there was 1:34 left in the period when Colorado registered their first shot on goal. Momentum changed in second period for Colorado, for both shots and goals. Despite numerous chances, it took just over 13 minutes for the Avalanche to find the back of the net, thanks to Valeri Nuchushkin putting in a rebound against his former team. A powerplay late in the period helped Colorado get to within one, as Makar's one-timer had no issue in finding the back of the Dallas net. The Avalanche pressed early in the third, looking for the tying goal. Dallas had other ideas, as a scramble on the powerplay resulted in Hintz out-waiting Colorado's defenders and Francouz, allowing him to snap a shot over the glove of the Colorado netminder. 32 seconds later, a bobbled puck by Maker allowed Gurianov to whack in the loss puck past an out-of-position Francouz. This spelled the end of Francouz's night, as Micheal Hutchinson came in to tend Colorado's net. Nichushkin got his second goal of the game minutes later, as his shot from inside the Dallas blueline hit the stick of a Stars defender and fluttered past an unprepared Khudobin. The comeback attempt would fall short though, as a Vladislav Namestnikov tipped goal with 4 seconds left was all Colorado could muster. Dallas hung on for the 5-4 win, putting them one win away from the next round.

 

Dallas Stars - 3

Colorado Avalanche - 6

Playing the next day brought about goaltending changes for both teams. Hutchinson got the start for the Avalanche, while Dallas deemed regular starter Ben Bishop healthy enough to play. Facing elimination, Colorado came out playing with urgency. Bellemare got things going for the Avalanche, taking a pass from Logan O'Connor and snapping it past Bishop before he could square up to it. Despite a few chances afterwards, it wasn't until after the midway point of the period when Colorado would strike again. Burakovsky pounced on a rebound, putting it past a sliding Bishop to make it 2-0. Less than a minute later, it was MacKinnon's turn to score,as the Avalanche forward one-timed a pass from J.T. Compher into the back of the Stars net. Moments later, it was Kadri's turn to get in on the scoring. A scramble in front of the Dallas net resulted in the puck shooting out to a sneaking Kadri, who had no issue beating the outstretched pad of Bishop. That ended Bishop's night, as Khudobin came on to take over the Dallas net. It wasn't the end of Colorado's scoring though, as Rantanen tipped in a shot from Girard to make it 5-0 for the Avalanche. A 5-on-3 early in the second looked to give Colorado the opportunity to extend an already significant lead. However, Khudobin and the penalty kill of Dallas managed to escaped unscathed. The Stars did find a way to get on the board eight minutes into the period. Pavelski found himself behind the Avalanche defense, and slide the puck through Hutchinson to break his shutout. Both teams would exhange penalties, but it wasn't until one late in the period when one was capitalized on, as Miro Heiskanen wrist a shot through both an Avalanche defender and Hutchinson to give the Stars another goal. Colorado's response was swift though, as 33 seconds later, Burakovsky's one-timer would beat a sliding Khudobin. The third period was all Stars, as Dallas attempted to comeback. Benn did managed to get a goal in the later-half of the period, potting home a rebound to pull the Stars within three. That was as close as they got though, as Colorado held on to the 6-3 scoreline. The win allowed the Avalanche to extend the series.

Colorado Avalanche - 4

Dallas Stars - 1

 

Both goalies were solid for the majority of the first period, as neither was willing to give up a goal despite chances by both teams. The deadlock was finally broken at the 17:35 mark of the first, as Heiskanen's shot bounced off of Hutchinson's glove and into the net. Colorado pressed to tie the game before the end of the period, and managed to do so, as Zadorov's point shot found it's way past Khudobin. While Khudobin was bumped on the play, no challenge was called as a Stars defender caused the interference. Things would slow down in the second, as not as many shots were registered. Despite this, Colorado did manage to find the scoreboard in the middle frame. Maker took a pass form Rantanen and snapped it past the head of Khudobin to give the Avalanche the lead. Early in the third, the familiar duo of MacKinnon and Rantanen would connect. After winning a puck battle, MacKinnon saucer pass went over a Star's defender and right to Rantanen, who one-timed it into the Stars net. Dallas did press afterwards, looking to comeback. Much like last game though, that was not meant to be. MacKinnon added an empty net for insurance, as Colorado won the game 4-1. The win pushed the series the distance, as Game 7 would be needed to decided a winner.

 

Dallas Stars - 5 (OT)

Colorado Avalanche - 4

Both teams would get quick starts in this one. First was Dallas, as Radulov jammed home a rebound on the powerplay to give the Stars the lead. Colorado tied the game just over a minute later, as Namestnikov redirected Ian Cole's point shot past Khudobin. Midway through the period, Burakovsky would snapped one past Khudobin to give the Avalanche the lead. Colorado managed to hold on to hte lead until early in the second. While on a delayed penalty call, a shot from Gurianov would be deflected up and over the glove of Hutchinson by Joel Kiviranta. Colorado wanted a rapid response, and Matt Nieto almost had one thanks to a breakaway chance, but Khudobin would make the save. A powerplay opportunity moments later was the answer Colorado needed, as Kadri poked in a loose puck to restroe the lead for the Avalanche. Kadri looked to have another late in the period, but Khudobin got his glove in the way while falling backwards. It took Dallas the better half of the thrid period to get the game tied once more, as once again Radulov scored on the powerplay (this time by deflecting a shot from Klingberg). The game remained tied until late in the third. Namestnikov would capitalize on a rebound with 3:40 remaining in the period to once again give Colorado the lead. Just 10 seconds later, Kiviranta added to the multi-goal player party, roofing a shot over a sliding Hutchinson and between the posts to tie the game at 4-4. For the first time the series, overtime was needed. The extra frame need just over seven  minutes ot be solved. The hero of the Stars in this game (Kiviranta) would cap off his hat trick when he took a pass from Andrej Sekera in the slot and one-timed it past Hutchinson. The goal gave Dallas the win in both the game and the series, as they advance to the next round.  

Three Thoughts on the Series

1. Jamie Benn, still not letting his team go down.
   
2. Talk about a time you don't want to have to go into your goaltending well. Both teams missed their starters, and Colorado ended up needing their third-string guy for the last part of the series.
   
3. Man, MacKinnon had an amazing playoffs. Hard to see him go out (especially on a game that ended his point streak).
   

Picture of the Series

TWO feet in the crease? Brett Hull would be so proud.

Another weird thing about this play is that the ref seemed to award the goal based on the celebration.

 

Highlight of the Series 

My god what a pass from MacKinnon AND a shot from Rantanen.