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Wednesday marks Frozen Frenzy in the NHL, as all 32 teams hit the ice across 16 games, beginning at 4 p.m. MT. Among the matchups, the Colorado Avalanche travel to Texas to face the Dallas Stars at 6:30 p.m. MT in the opener of a home-and-home set.
The Stars enter the contest after a 2-1 shootout loss in Pittsburgh, while the Avalanche arrive in Dallas following their most lopsided defeat of the young season, a home-ice loss to Toronto.
Which Central Division powerhouse will come out on top in Big D? The Avalanche hold a 3-2-0 record, while the Stars are 2-2-1. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+, with radio coverage on Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM.
Colorado is likely eager to return to the ice after their performance against the Maple Leafs last Saturday. Since then, discussions have swirled around potential goaltending concerns, defensive breakdowns, and the Avalanche's power-play production.
There is a delicate balance between identifying genuinely troubling trends and recognizing that it's far too early in the season to draw firm conclusions about this Colorado squad. Many worries have surfaced in the team's two losses, yet even more reasons for optimism emerge in their victories.
It would be encouraging to see the Avalanche win a defensively sound, playoff-style game in this home-and-home against Dallas, and expecting at least a split seems reasonable. However, a sweep becomes more likely if they tighten up defensively and stop playing like a team still in summer shinny mode. Colorado must elevate its game against its fiercest rival.
Speaking of elevating play, Mackenzie Blackwood will start in net tonight, giving him a chance to silence critics and demonstrate resilience after a rough 17-save performance on 23 shots in his last outing. If he struggles, former Star Scott Wedgewood could get an opportunity tomorrow night, potentially igniting a goaltending controversy.
Key Analysis
The Stars have had a slower start than many expected, but it's not due to a lack of production from former Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, who has 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists). However, scoring has been an issue for the team overall. Dallas has scored one or fewer goals in each of its three defeats, including a shutout by the St. Louis Blues in their home opener.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been stellar in his four starts, posting a 0.74 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage, with two shutouts already. Historically, Oettinger has been just okay against Colorado in the regular season, with a career regular-season record of 7-3-3, a .911 save percentage, and a 3.05 GAA. The Avalanche's 40 regular-season goals against Oettinger are the most he has allowed to any single team in his career.
Projected Lineup:
Colorado Avalanche:
Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nazem Kadri
Jaden Schwartz – Fedor Svechkov – T.J. Hughes
Zachary L'Heureux – Nicolas Roy – Parker Kelly
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Dallas Stars:
Sam Steel – Wyatt Johnston – Mikko Rantanen
Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz – Jamie Benn
Justin Hryckowian – Arttu Hyry – Tyler Seguin
Oskar Back – Radek Faksa – Colin Blackwell
Esa Lindell – Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley – Nils Lundkvist
Lian Bichsel – Tyler Myers
Jake Oettinger
Casey DeSmith
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Originally reported by yahoo.