NHL: Riding 10-game streak, Stars eager to measure up against Avs

The Dallas Stars bring their team-record 10-game winning streak back home Friday as their six-game homestand kicks off against the Colorado Avalanche, the only team ahead of them in the NHL standings.

This marks the first meeting between the Central Division rivals since the season opener, when the Stars edged out Colorado 5-4 in a shootout in Denver. With Colorado holding the NHL's best record for most of the season, Friday's game serves as an important benchmark for Dallas — especially with a potential second-round Stanley Cup playoff matchup looming.

“You know, I am paying attention to this [trade] deadline, just like everybody else, but geez, I've been paying attention to this game versus Colorado since last time we played Colorado,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday. “So, that's kind of where my focus is.”

Despite missing a few key players after the Olympic break, the Stars have maintained their winning streak. Gulutzan said forward Roope Hintz “should be good to go” Friday after missing four games due to illness.

Lineup changes could continue as Dallas added Tyler Myers from Vancouver on Wednesday. Gulutzan said Myers is a “50-50” chance to play Friday, as the 6-foot-8 defenseman wasn’t expected to join the team until late Thursday.

Even without Hintz (15 goals, 29 assists in 52 games) and Colorado's Mikko Rantanen (20 goals, 49 assists in 54 games), the Stars have been impressive. Their recent back-to-back road wins against Vancouver and Calgary both ended with 6-1 scores.

Jason Robertson, leading the team with 34 goals and 72 points, has recorded two points in each of his last three games (2G, 4A). Wyatt Johnston, second on the team with 33 goals and third with 65 points, has notched three two-point games (4G, 2A) in his last four outings.

The Avalanche know exactly the high the Stars are riding — and then some. Two months ago, Colorado became only the fourth NHL team to post two 10-game winning streaks in a single season. The team is now in the early stages of a third streak, having won its last three games. Earlier this week, Colorado beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Monday and then routed the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 the following night.

Colorado not only has the league’s best record but also the top offense (3.82 goals per game) and best defense (2.40 goals per game). Nathan MacKinnon, leading the NHL with 41 goals and ranking second with 100 points, has tallied seven points (1G, 6A) since play resumed. Martin Necas, tied for eighth in the league with Robertson and three others with 72 points, has five goals and five assists in his last five games.

Friday’s matchup begins a challenging five-game stretch for Colorado through March 14. After visiting Dallas, the Avalanche will host Minnesota and Edmonton before returning to the road.

Following the win over Los Angeles, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the team would stay in California for one more day before heading east. Aside from a pregame skate Friday, only goalies and some injured players are expected to have extended ice time.

“We're going to try and be as energized and ready to go as we can be for Dallas,” Bednar said. “That's our focus.”

-Field Level Media/Reuters