Overview
- The Avalanche and Stars open a home-and-home on Tuesday night in Dallas with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN and Mackenzie Blackwood and Jake Oettinger confirmed as the starters.
- Colorado placed Cale Makar back in Denver for the imminent birth of his twins, and Noah Juulsen draws into the lineup as Devon Toews assumes primary power-play duties.
- Dallas will be without veteran depth after Matt Duchene underwent core surgery and is expected to miss about three months, leaving the Stars increasingly reliant on Jake Oettinger's recent shutouts and hot form.
- Colorado has led the league in scoring early but has given up 17 goals and shown uneven goaltending, creating a contrast between the Avs' potent offense and defensive instability.
- How Toews' new role on the power play matches up with Oettinger's run of elite saves will likely decide the short-term series balance, and reports say Makar's return for Wednesday's rematch remains uncertain.