In a pivotal Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Second Round, the Colorado Avalanche faltered, losing 5-1 to the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena, pushing them to the edge of playoff elimination. This loss, marked by a sluggish start and lackluster play, was arguably the Avalanche’s poorest performance in the series, leaving them in dire need of a turnaround to stay in contention for the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche, who had previously dispatched the Winnipeg Jets in five games, encountered a more formidable opponent in the Stars, who had stretched their first-round victory over the Vegas Golden Knights to seven games. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar noted the team’s unexpectedly slow start. “We looked frozen in the first period. We were not moving, we were not skating. It looked like we were exhausted, and we should be the rested team,” Bednar lamented.
Complicating matters for Colorado were the absences of key players. Forward Valeri Nichushkin was sidelined, entering Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which mandates a suspension without pay for at least six months. Nichushkin, a vital piece of the Avalanche’s playoff strategy, had racked up 10 points, including nine goals, tying him for the postseason lead in goals scored. Additionally, defenseman Devon Toews was out due to illness, further depleting a team already struggling to find its rhythm.
Despite these setbacks, the Avalanche saw the return of Jonathan Drouin, boosting team morale, yet the on-ice performance remained disjointed. The team struggled with basic execution, completing passes and establishing offensive momentum. Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano expressed frustration at the team’s inability to effectively start the game. “They did a good job and ultimately got the lead on us. We just need to be better. We need to find ways to start the game better and create momentum that we can carry through the game,” he said.
Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was a notable exception, delivering a commendable performance by making 29 saves, including stopping 15 of 16 shots in the first period alone. His efforts kept the team within striking distance, although it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit created by the Stars’ aggressive play.
Looking ahead to Game 5, the Avalanche face a critical challenge. With the series now 3-1 in favor of Dallas, the next game at the American Airlines Center represents a must-win scenario for Colorado. “Just got to find ways to start better,” remarked Cale Makar, the Avalanche’s standout defenseman. “Obviously, the season is on the line now, so we’ve got to give them everything we have.”
As the Avalanche gear up for a do-or-die confrontation, all eyes will be on whether they can recover their form and force a Game 6 or if the Stars will seal their victory and move on to the Western Conference Final.
