Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 61: Lineup Details and Viewing Guide
The Colorado Avalanche face off against the Dallas Stars in Game 61 of the NHL season. This matchup takes place at the American Airlines Center, with puck drop scheduled for 6:08 p.m. MT. Currently, the Avalanche hold a record of 41 wins, 10 losses, and 9 overtime losses, while the Stars stand at 38 wins, 14 losses, and 9 overtime losses.
Key Matchup Details
This game marks the first after the NHL trade deadline, heightening interest as new player dynamics are on display. Nic Roy will make his debut for the Avalanche, likely centering the third line, which previously featured Parker Kelly and Victor Olofsson. In contrast, Dallas’s trade acquisitions, Tyler Myers and Michael Bunting, will be healthy scratches to give them time to adjust.
Recent Performance
- The Stars have recorded 10 consecutive victories, a franchise first.
- Last season’s playoff rematch: Colorado lost Game 7 in Dallas.
- In their October encounter, Dallas triumphed over Colorado with a 5-4 shootout win.
Player Updates
The Avalanche will be without superstar Mikko Rantanen due to an upper-body injury sustained during Olympic play. Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that both teams will start their usual goaltenders: Jake Oettinger for Dallas and Mackenzie Blackwood for Colorado.
Avalanche Injury Report
- Logan O’Connor: Undisclosed, indefinite
- Artturi Lehkonen: Upper body, week-to-week
- Joel Kiviranta: Concussion, day-to-day
Projected Lineups
Here are the expected lines for the Avalanche:
| Line | Forwards | Defensemen |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Line | Gabriel Landeskog — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas | Devon Toews — Cale Makar |
| 2nd Line | Ross Colton — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin | Josh Manson — Brent Burns |
| 3rd Line | Parker Kelly — Nicolas Roy — Victor Olofsson | Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski |
| 4th Line | Zakhar Bardakov — Jack Drury — Gavin Brindley |
Upcoming Milestones
Several Avalanche players are closing in on personal milestones:
- Gabriel Landeskog: Needs 1 point for 600 career points
- Martin Necas: Needs 2 games for 500 career games, 2 points for 400
- Josh Manson: Needs 4 points for 200 career points
- Valeri Nichushkin: Needs 5 assists for 200 career assists
- Devon Toews: Needs 7 points for 300 career points
- Cale Makar: Needs 8 points for 500 career points
Viewing Details
Fans can catch the game live on Altitude TV, with radio coverage available at 92.5 FM.
