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Special Teams Help Dallas Stars Take 2-1 Series Lead vs. Colorado Avalanche

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Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche

The Dallas Stars have only led for 1:02 of ice time the entire series, yet they have a 2-1 series lead over the Colorado Avalanche after three games that included the franchise’s first back-to-back overtime wins in the postseason. Forward Colin Blackwell, a fourth-liner who has been in and out of the lineup all year, became the unlikely hero in Game 2. Tyler Seguin buried the game-winner off a Mason Marchment pass to give Dallas the series lead and spoil the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after somehow killing off a crucial four-minute penalty that carried into overtime.

The Stars vs. Avalanche series has delivered so far, and special teams, clutch plays, and goaltending have played major roles.

How Special Teams are Impacting the Stars vs. Avalanche Series

That Game 3 sequence is a microcosm of this series, as special teams have become a critical factor. The Stars’ power-play unit was among the NHL’s bottom half, scoring 22 percent of the time during the regular season. However, the Stars have converted on 30% of their power-play opportunities in the postseason with at least one power-play goal in each game of the first-round series so far.

The Stars are still taking too many penalties, allowing Colorado 13 opportunities with the man-advantage, including six in Game 3. However, a penalty kill that was among the league’s best in the regular season has continued to perform in the postseason — holding Colorado to just two goals in those situations. Only Carolina, Los Angeles, and Vegas have done better.

Stars’ Veterans Step Up in Key Moments, Unlikely Players Emerge

Injuries to forward Jason Robertson and defenceman Miro Heiskanen left Dallas shorthanded entering this series. The return of Tyler Seguin certainly helped the offence, as the second line has continued to thrive. Seguin was playing at an incredible pace before his injury, and he’s now scored twice during this series. Both goals were important. The first tied Game 2 in the second period when it looked like Colorado might be taking command of the series. The second sent Dallas into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead.

Other veterans in the lineup have been crucial pieces to the puzzle as well. Captain Jamie Benn was the one to come up with the equalizer in the second period of Game 3 after not scoring a goal since March 8. Forward Evgenii Dadonov, who had only scored in two games since late February, netted the tying goal in Game 2. Colin Blackwell did not play in Game 1 but scored the game-winner to even the series after being inserted into the lineup.

Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell have been among those to step up on the blueline. The two lead Dallas in ice time, playing at least 26 minutes per game. Harley’s rise since the Four Nations Faceoff has been well documented. He has continued his run of stellar play with a goal and two assists during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Lindell has been a bright spot in the defensive zone, constantly finding the right spots and making plays to help Dallas survive.

The unlikely duo of rookie Lian Bichsel and journeyman Alexander Petrovic also played well in Game 3.

Stars vs. Avalanche goaltending has been impressive

Dallas fans have been hard on Oettinger lately. However, the 26-year-old net-minder was brilliant in Game 3, shutting down plenty of quality scoring chances from the Avalanche with relative ease. Those stops ended up paying huge dividends as Dallas was able to keep it a 1-0 game despite the chances Colorado had to add to its lead and put away the game.

The Stars got the equalizer on the power play in the second period, seemingly flipping the game’s momentum at the same time. Oettinger then stood tall as the Avalanche closed regulation on a four-minute power play. The man-advantage carried into the first three minutes of overtime, where he made huge saves to keep Dallas alive, leading to the rush that resulted in Seguin’s game-winner. The Dallas goalie stopped 27 of 28 shots on Wednesday, the only blemish being an impressive “mini-breakaway” goal from former Star Valeri Nichushkin in the first period.

On the flip side, the lack of playoff experience from Colorado’s goaltending tandem was a key storyline entering this series. Yet, Mackenzie Blackwood has been phenomenal. Despite allowing a couple of overtime winners and his team trailing in the series, he has been up to the challenge against a potent Stars offence. His .923 save% ranks fifth among playoff goalies, and he has done so while facing the most shot attempts.

Blackwood and Oettinger have faced the most shots in the NHL playoffs this year by a wide margin. If they continue to play like they have in the last two games, this series will have an exciting finish.

Game 4 is a Must-win for Colorado

The Stars and the Avalanche will pick up their series with Game 4 on Saturday night in Denver, which could suddenly put Colorado, the betting favourite entering this series, on thin ice. After losing Game 1, Dallas has won two in a row to retake the home ice advantage in the series. A Game 4 loss for the Avalanche would put Colorado one loss away from elimination as the series heads back to Dallas for Game 5.

Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The post Special Teams Help Dallas Stars Take 2-1 Series Lead vs. Colorado Avalanche appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.