PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Stanley Cup Top Ticket Side - 13-5 (72%) NHL Hot Streak
(NHL) Dallas vs. Colorado,
Money Line: 116.00 Dallas (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: 116.00 Dallas (Away)
Result: Win
Despite a slew of injuries, Colorado has won the last two games in this Western Conference Stanley Cup semifinal to force today's Game 7.
The Avalanche have momentum. But I want the Stars going for me considering how banged-up Colorado is and how important this game is for the future of Dallas' organization.
This is the situation the Avalanche are in: They likely will be without captain Gabriel Landeskog, a member of their top line. They also likely will be missing Erik Johnson, one of their top-four defensemen along with three other plays who provide depth, which is important at this late stage. But worse of all for the Avalanche is they probably will be missing starting goalie Philipp Grubauer and his top backup, Pavel Francouz.
That would put journeyman third-stringer Michael Hutchinson back in goal. The Stars don't need to play their "A" game to beat Hutchinson, who I consider one of the worst backup goalies in the NHL. Credit to Hutchinson for allowing a total of four goals in the last two games. Dallas, though, managed only 15 shots during the last two periods of Game 6.
The Stars' top line of Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin have managed just one point during the last two games. They are much better than that, especially going against Hutchinson and a Colorado defense that isn't as good as the Stars' No. 2 ranked defense.
The ramifications could be huge for the Stars if they lose this game and thus blow a 3-1 series lead. Interim coach Rick Bowness probably won't be back. The roster could be gutted, too, with the team's aging veterans sent packing in abysmal failure.
The Avalanche have momentum. But I want the Stars going for me considering how banged-up Colorado is and how important this game is for the future of Dallas' organization.
This is the situation the Avalanche are in: They likely will be without captain Gabriel Landeskog, a member of their top line. They also likely will be missing Erik Johnson, one of their top-four defensemen along with three other plays who provide depth, which is important at this late stage. But worse of all for the Avalanche is they probably will be missing starting goalie Philipp Grubauer and his top backup, Pavel Francouz.
That would put journeyman third-stringer Michael Hutchinson back in goal. The Stars don't need to play their "A" game to beat Hutchinson, who I consider one of the worst backup goalies in the NHL. Credit to Hutchinson for allowing a total of four goals in the last two games. Dallas, though, managed only 15 shots during the last two periods of Game 6.
The Stars' top line of Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin have managed just one point during the last two games. They are much better than that, especially going against Hutchinson and a Colorado defense that isn't as good as the Stars' No. 2 ranked defense.
The ramifications could be huge for the Stars if they lose this game and thus blow a 3-1 series lead. Interim coach Rick Bowness probably won't be back. The roster could be gutted, too, with the team's aging veterans sent packing in abysmal failure.