Playoff Preview: Stars scattered on the forward lines

Dallas’s strength comes from their forward core.

The Colorado Avalanche have a quick turnaround as they face the Dallas Stars in the second round in Game One tomorrow night in the Lone Star State. Very similar to the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, the strength of the Stars comes from their forward core.

It will be another tough matchup both on paper and on the ice. Hence, we will see who ends up on top of the other in what should be an unstoppable force versus an immovable object. Here’s just a peek at what to expect from Dallas’ forwards.

Projected Lines

Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Logan Stankoven (11)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Evgenii Dadanov (63) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Radek Faksa (12) – Sam Steel (18) – Craig Smith (15)

Extra Forwards: Mason Marchment (27), Ty Dellandrea (10)

First-line fortitude strength

The first line of the Stars is dangerous with a name some might recognize and others may not. Jason Robertson has been one of Dallas’ perennial threats on offense for the last few years. He had 127 points last season including playoff games, and already has five points in seven games in this postseason.

Roope Hintz centers this line, with only one goal so far in the playoffs. But he has been good this season, consistently producing both goals and assists (30 and 35 respectively) during the regular season. Finally, the first of many young guys providing brilliantly for Dallas is Logan Stankoven.

The 21-year-old has spent the second half of the season with the Stars, only playing 24 games with 14 points and two assists so far in the playoffs. While they may not be out of this world, he can be a spark to swing momentum in his team’s favor down the lineup, even if he is not putting up the points to reflect that.

Second-line veterans with a young gun

Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski will be the two names Avs fans will recognize. The two veterans, aged 34 and 39 respectively, have done damage to Colorado in the past – both on the Stars and on different teams. While Pavelski hasn’t registered a point yet and Benn only has two, they can spark at any time and are the veteran leadership Dallas is looking for.

But the big name on this line is centerman Wyatt Johnston. The 20-year-old has been dominant during this playoff push for the Stars, with seven points (4G, 3A) in seven games. Johnston had 32 goals and 33 assists in the regular season and has been a thrilling young star in the making in just his second season in the NHL.

Johnston could easily move up to the top line as well with his will to score if Hintz is unable to provide, and can work well too. He is a clutch player, scoring in two consecutive Game Sevens – including the opening goal in the win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Hence, Colorado will have a lot to handle with this kid alongside the ever-threatening veterans.

Third-line familiarity

Another line where Avs fans will recognize several names. Tyler Seguin has been moved to the middle six with all the Stars, with 52 points in the regular season and three apples so far in seven games. Evgenii Dadanov’s second year in Texas has been mired with injury out of the lineup, hence he only recorded 26 points in 58 games – including the postseason.

But perhaps the most enticing name of all on this list for Avalanche fans is none other than Matt Duchene. We all know the infamous trade away and how he wanted to play playoff hockey. Colorado won a Stanley Cup without him and has been nothing but great with him out of the lineup ever since.

This will be Duchene’s fifth appearance in the postseason since leaving the Avs, but he’s never made it past the second round. If there’s any time to give it to your former team, it is now with a chance to eliminate them and advance to the Western Conference Final for the first time in your career. He’s only recorded two points so far, but he always seems to love scoring against Colorado and will be looking to do just that.

Fourth line rough stuff

The fourth line just might be the weak link to the Stars forward group. But I’d use “weak link” lightly, as Radek Faksa scored the series winner over Vegas in the third period on Sunday night. Overall, he still recorded 19 points in 74 games this season.

Alongside him are Craig Smith and Sam Steel, recording 20 points and 24 points respectively. They’ve also recorded one assist so far in the playoffs, and haven’t been an unreliable line in the bottom six of Pete DeBoer’s system.

Extra wild cards

Speaking of DeBoer and his system, his forward lines have been crucial for him in his entire coaching career. It’s how he has found so much success, and is 8-0 in Game Seven situations. His other options include Ty Dellandrea, who played in Games Three through Six and scored one goal along the way.

Finally, another wild card he has under his sleeve is Mason Marchment, who is currently listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury he suffered in Game Two of the first round. His physical play will be beneficial for the middle six, and he has been skating. Don’t be surprised if he does make an appearance in this series, as he can add to his 54 points in 83 games this season.

Who has the advantage?

This will be yet another very close matchup between both Dallas’ forwards and Colorado’s forwards. Just as was similar to the last round against the Winnipeg Jets, depth will be key in deciding this series.

But differing from the Jets, Dallas has lots of stars to watch out for. Pavelski, Robertson, and Johnston are just a few dangerous players to watch out for. While there’s no true superstar like Nathan MacKinnon for Dallas, all of them combined can surely pack a punch on the Avs forward core.

The Avs still have questions as well in the forward group, as Jonathan Drouin is out injured alongside Joel Kiviranta. Nikolai Kovalenko is still very new to the group and NHL level of play, let alone the adversity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hence, it could leave Colorado vulnerable to the depth of the Stars.

But, if both Drouin and Kiviranta can return in this series, it could make at least some difference. Particularly for the latter of the two, perhaps revenge can be best served sweet against your former team.

Nonetheless, those two alone would likely not move the needle enough for the Avs to give them the outright advantage over the Stars forwards. Hence, just as I’ve done in the last two forward previews I’ve done for the opposing teams facing the Avalanche, I’m calling it a 50/50 split between these two forward cores.