The Dallas Stars are on the cusp of eliminating a Colorado Avalanche team that went all-in at the trade deadline, despite missing two of its best players in defensemen Miro Heiskanen and winger Jason Robertson.
It’s a reminder of all the reasons it’s so hard to win in the NHL. It’s also a reminder that it’s almost impossible to win a series without being lucky and good.
In this series, Dallas has probably been luckier than good — and that’s okay. Dallas, when healthy, is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Few teams could survive being without one of the best defenseman in the game in Heiskanen or winger Robertson.
The 25-year-old power forward finished the regular season on a tear with 15 goals and 14 assists in his final 27 games. It’s a testament to the Stars’ depth, their trade deadline additions and organizational drafting and development that they can hang with Colorado while missing two of its most important pieces.
Through the first four games of this series, Colorado looked every bit the better team. The Avalanche handily won the battle in possession through chances, 5-on-5 high-danger chances, shots and 5-on-5 scoring, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Yet, thanks to solid efforts from goaltender Jake Oettinger (fourth among playoff starters in save percentage), a timely Dallas power play (goals in four of game games) and a streaky Avalanche power play (a nightmarish 0-for-6 in game three), the Stars survived multiple lackluster performances early in the series to keep themselves afloat.
