DALLAS — The Colorado Avalanche look to keep the momentum going after Game Four made for the movies. Colorado could take a series lead over the Dallas Stars where the Avalanche have a 14–5 series record when they take 3–2 lead. If the defense can plug up the holes in front of an already great Mackenzie Blackwood, the Avs will have no problem with Game Five on Monday.

Colorado Avalanche (2-2)

The Avalanche set the tone in Game Four on Saturday. Gabriel Landeskog’s play in just his second game back showed sparks of the what to expect from him. The captain came through with a goal, his first in 1,041 days, and an assist. Logan O’Connor added a short handed goal before that and it was an atmosphere that Avs could not lose in. Colorado had only one power play chance in the game, but unlike the previous game, they converted on the chance. If Colorado can carry the same energy into Game Five on Monday, they will find success and the series lead.

Projected Lines

Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Martin Necas (88)
Gabriel Landeskog (92) – Brock Nelson (11) – Valeri Nichushkin (13)
Jonathan Drouin (27) – Charlie Coyle (10) – Joel Kiviranta (94)
Parker Kelly (17) – Jack Drury (18) – Logan O’Connor (25)

Devon Toews (7) – Cale Makar (8)
Samuel Girard (49) – Josh Manson (42)
Ryan Lindgren (55) – Sam Malinski (70)

Mackenzie Blackwood (39)
Scott Wedgewood (41)

“That’s one where I just took a moment on the bench, which normally you don’t do in a playoff-atmosphere-type-thing,” O’Connor said on Landeskog’s goal. “I think all of us just sort of took it in. How unique and special it was knowing the road we’ve seen him be on, the doubts I’m sure he’s had, the obstacles he’s faced, and the perseverance as a leader and a person. To see him come out with that goal was pretty remarkable and I think that’s something we’re all going to look back on and remember. Just showcases what hard work does and perseverance, and who he is as a person to come back and be as strong as he has been through two games.”

Dallas Stars (2-2)

The Stars were on their heels from the moment that O’Connor scored his shorthanded goal. That threw them off of their entire game plan and they never recovered. Dallas let the Avalanche gain momentum from there and allowed 48 shots on goal. They had too many gaps in their defense and did not plug them fast enough. The possibility of Miro Heiskanen returning increases every day, so the quicker that the Avs can wrap up the series, the better.

Projected Lines

Mikael Granlund (64) – Roope Hintz (24) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Oskar Back (10) – Sam Steel (18) – Colin Blackwell (15)

Esa Lindell (23) – Cody Ceci (44)
Thomas Harley (55) – Ilya Lyubushkin (46)
Lian Bichsel (6) – Alex Petrovic (28)

Jake Oettinger (29)
Casey DeSmith (1)

Game Details

Time: 7:30 p.m. MT

Watch: ESPN, Altitude, Altitude+, Victory+, SN, SN360, TVAS

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM