The Colorado Avalanche have been in a championship window for several years, but that window was slammed shut by the Dallas Stars in each of the past two seasons.
Last season was particularly painful for the Avalanche, who blew a 2-0 lead in the third period of Game 7. Saturday night the rivalry resumes when the Stars arrive in Denver for their first meeting of the season.
Thursday night the Avalanche celebrated their home opener with a tense 2-1 win over Utah while Dallas beat Winnipeg on the road that same night in the Stars’ first game of the season.
Saturday night will also be Mikko Rantanen’s second regular-season game against the team he spent his first nine-plus seasons with before Colorado traded him to Carolina in January. Rantanen was later dealt to the Stars, and his hat trick in Game 7 sent his former teammates to an early summer.
Rantanen had five goals in 20 games after being traded to Dallas but nearly doubled that in the 18 playoff games, scoring nine times. He is off to a good start this season with a goal and two assists in Dallas’ 5-4 win at Winnipeg.
“He’s playing with some bite out there,” said teammate Jason Robertson. “When he gets going, he starts feeling it and gets physical and that just adds another element to his game.”
Thursday’s win was also the first game with new head Stars coach Glen Gulutzan, who was hired off the staff of the Edmonton Oilers. Gulutzan will lead his team against an Avalanche squad who has won their first two games.
Thursday’s victory for Colorado was tighter than hoped, but a power-play goal from Nathan MacKinnon and a stellar night in net by Scott Wedgewood proved to be the difference.
Wedgewood has been the starter while top goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood continues to rehab a lower-body injury. A career backup, Wedgewood has played well in the first two games and was the reason Colorado beat the Mammoth with 32 saves.
“I’ll take whatever they want to give me,” Wedgewood said. “In my career, I feel a little bit underused, just at my age and my games played number. But proud of what I’ve done, where I’ve been, and giving myself a chance to keep playing. I’m always ready, but it’s nice that it’s gone my way here to start the first two.”
The Avalanche, who are celebrating their 30th season in Colorado since relocating from Quebec, are going to wear Nordiques gear Saturday night. The Avalanche also added depth to their defensive unit with Ilya Solovyov, who was claimed off waivers from Calgary a week ago and resolved his visa issues.
With the top six defensive slots occupied, Solovyov is expected to be used sparingly and likely won’t be in the lineup against Dallas; however, Brent Burns will be for his 1,500th career game and his third with Colorado
“It’s nice to think back on some of the memories and the guys that helped along the way,” he said.
