Game Preview: Avalanche vs. Stars

COLORADO AVALANCHE (11-6-1) VS DALLAS STARS (12-5-4)
7 PM MT | BALL ARENAWATCH:ALTITUDELISTEN: 92.5FM/950 AM
The Colorado Avalanche are set to face off against the Dallas Stars for the second time this week. Coverage is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on Altitude Sports at Ball Arena.

The two teams last met on Monday, where the Avs defeated the Stars 3-2 in a shootout. Cale Makar and Alex Newhook each found the back of the net before Mikko Rantanen scored in the third round of the shootout to give the Avs' their fourth straight win.

LAST TIME OUT

Following Wednesday''s 4-3 loss to Vancouver, the Avalanche set out to travel to Music City for a noon matchup against the Predators on Friday, but was unfortunately postponed due to a water main break. The game will be rescheduled, and information will be announced at a later date.
Dallas is coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. Jason Robertson scored two goals and tallied one assist, while Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn both found the back of the net once. The Stars cut a two-goal deficit late in the third period before falling in overtime.

MATCHUP STAT OF THE DAY

Saturday's showdown between the Avalanche and the Stars features two teams that value the first period. The Stars have a league-leading 27 goals in the first period this season, while the Avalanche have allowed the fewest opening-period goals at nine.

HISTORY

Colorado owns a 71-55-23 all-time mark versus Dallas, with a 48-37-19 record since 1995-96.
The Avs are 42-19-13 at home against the Stars.
Saturday's contest marks the second of four games between the two teams this season, with the next game on March 4 in the Lone Star State and then back in Denver to close out the series on April 1.

SCOUTING THE STARS

Dallas enters Saturdays matchup with the second-best scoring offenses in the league at 3.95 goals per game. The Stars have also been deadly on the man-advantage this season, slated second in the league at a 30% conversion rate, only behind the Avs (34.4%).
Jason Robertson has been on fire to start the season, currently ranked second in scoring in the NHL with 34 points (18G, 16A). Robertson has posted a point in 14-consecutive games (16G, 11A. Only three players in Stars/North Stars history have streaks longer, all of which occurred while the franchise was located in Minnesota (Brian Bellows 20 games - 1986, Jude Drouin 15 games - 1971 and Neal Broten 15 games - 1985-86).
Jamie Benn (10G, 14A) and Roope Hintz (8G, 16A) are tied for second on the team with 24 points each.
Netminder Jake Oettinger holds an 8-2 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Wyatt Johnston has five goals in his first season, tied for third among rookies.

DOING THE MOST

Nathan MacKinnon leads all active Avs players with 32 points (11G, 21A) against the Stars franchise.
Alexandar Georgiev holds a 1-1 record versus the Stars in his career, notching a 1.70 GAA and a .935 Sv%.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Jamie Benn is second on the Stars all-time scoring list versus the Avs with 42 points (13G, 29A), behind Hall of Famer Mike Modano (27G, 35A).
Jake Oettinger is 2-0-1 against Colorado, garnering an impressive .965 Sv% and 1.36 GAA.

NUMBERS GAME

8
Artturi Lehkonen extended his career-high point streak to eight games after tallying two assists versus Vancouver. The point streak is the longest by an Avalanche player this season and he has collected 10 points (4G, 6A) during the span.
34.4%
Colorado remains the top power play in the league, converting on 34.5% (22-of-64) of their man-advantage opportunities.
3
Against Vancouver, Cale Makar extended his goal streak to three games, which is his longest run this season.