The Colorado Avalanche have made it through another preseason. But they may not have made it through without their share of bumps and bruises. As they took on the Dallas Stars in their last match before the regular season, the hope was to make it through unscathed. Most of the NHL regulars sat out the game for the Avalanche, but some hopefuls stayed in the lineup. This included Sean Behrens, who may have been a victim of the preseason once more. The Avalanche would eventually fall to the Stars 3–2, but it is not the score that was concerning.

View from the Mountaintop

The Avalanche could be down another defenseman as Sean Behrens did not finish the game. He played six shifts in the first period, totaling 5:11 time on ice. Behrens missed the entire 2024–25 season because of an ACL injury to his knee. Behrens had told Hockey Mountain High that he was looking forward to getting the injury behind him and “getting back to what I love.” The Avalanche are already suffering with injuries in defense with Jacob MacDonald out long-term. Ronnie Attard could not finish the last game because of a mid-ice collision and did not go to the Colorado Eagles’ practice the next day.

The penalty kill has taken big steps forward in the preseason. During the game on Saturday, the Stars were just one for three. Having a player like Zakhar Bardakov has made a big difference. Bardakov played a huge role for his team in the KHL on his penalty killing unit. The Stars’ only power-play goal came with Bardakov in the penalty box. Defenseman Brent Burns, who is a penalty-kill expert, will only increase the effectiveness of the unit for the Avalanche.

Tristen Nielsen, who is with the organization on an AHL contract, scored again on Saturday night. He has scored in every preseason game that he has played in for the Avalanche. He noted to Hockey Mountain High on Wednesday:

“They (the Avalanche) give every player an opportunity, no matter what deal you’re on or anything like that,” Nielsen said. “And they have no problem taking the best guy. And I think that’s huge for me. I also have heard nothing but good things about the guys.”

He has had time to impress the Avalanche with his four goals and one assist in three games. His run and gun style to the net is something that the Avalanche need and want. If he plays well enough this season, it could turn into a two-way contract just like Tye Felhaber’s did last season.

Up Next

The Avalanche will kick off their regular season against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, October 7. The game will broadcast on national television as part of a triple-header on ESPN and begins at 8:30 p.m. MT.