DALLAS — Bounces finally started going toward the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six against the Dallas Stars. Colorado forced Game Seven for Saturday in Dallas with an offensive onslaught they have not had since Game Four. Both teams will battle to end the other’s season, so expect a very physical and hard fought game. Jake Oettinger had a rare game that he played well, but the pucks flew past him. That will not be the case on Saturday. Oettinger will not let that happen again. Head coach of the Dallas Stars, Pete DeBoer, is undefeated in his eight appearances in game sevens.

Colorado Avalanche (3-3)

The Avalanche played their best game other than Game Four of the series. Valeri Nichushkin had his first multi-point game of the playoffs and skated with some real confidence. If the Avalanche can spark Nichushkin again, the second line will be a force to be reckoned with. Captain Gabriel Landeskog looked more in his element than ever as he was in the thick of plays on Thursday. Having the leadership of the captain will make the world of difference for Game Seven. If Colorado can clean up the neutral zone play, they should be just fine.

“I think it was a group effort,” Landeskog said “Everybody knew what was at stake. Everybody knew that we carried the play for the most part. [It] felt like we, like I said, [had] a couple of mistakes that led to their goals, and it felt like we got a little bit loose with some of our coverage. We knew that if we tightened some of those things up and we keep playing offensively like we were, we were creating enough scoring chances to score goals, and just had to find a way to get some behind Oettinger. Patience paid off tonight and we got rewarded.”

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)

Dallas Stars (3-3)

The Stars let the Avalanche drive to the net way too much to create scoring opportunities. If they can shut those down, specifically from Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen, the defense will work out. If Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz can keep their momentum going, the Avs need to watch it. Rantanen is on a revenge tour and will take names along the way. He does not care if the Avalanche are in the way.

“It’s two good teams,” Rantanen said. “Personally, not surprised it’s going to Game 7. It’s two really good teams, and it’s good for the hockey world to see this series. We’ve got to reset now and get ready for Saturday.”

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 Bäck (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: 6 p.m. MT

Watch: ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 950 AM