Before the puck met the ice in Game 4 in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche had to make late adjustments to the lineup card. About three hours before Game 4, the NHL and the NHLPA announced Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was entering the NHL’s Player Assistance program for the second straight postseason. The vibes entering the game seemed off for the Avalanche, and the result proved much the same.
The departure of their leading scorer in the playoffs would be too much for Colorado to bear. The Dallas Stars continued their road dominance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs as they walked into Denver for the second time this week and smacked the Avs 5-1.
Through 5 road games, the Stars are an astounding 4-1. Dallas soared back home with a 3-games-to-1 series lead and a chance to close out the Colorado Avalanche at home on Wednesday night.
Dallas Stars Hulk-Up on the Road in Game 4
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If you’ve ever watched Fox’s hit TV show, Family Guy, way back in the day in Season One, Peter Griffin goes into his imagination and turns into the Incredible Hulk. The Dallas Stars must be big fans of the comedy series, as they’ve taken inspiration from the muscle-bound green monster who would cause chaos. The Stars have bulldozed the Avalanche at Ball Arena over the last two games to put a green, muscle-bound chokehold on the series.
The destructive Dallas Stars are shattering dreams and bringing tears of sadness to Aves fans right in front of their eyes. The fortress in Las Vegas was the first to fall in the postseason war. Following Game 4, it sure looks like the Colorado Avalanche’s path to the Stanley Cup rests on very uneven footing.
Rookie forward Wyatt Johnston scored the first two special teams goals for Dallas, split between the first and second periods. The Stars jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Colorado responded on a Casey Middlestadt goal midway through regulation. However, two more third-period goals for the Stars closed the book on that impressive fourth-road win for Dallas already in the playoffs.
Game 4 Struggles for Colorado Stars
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While the overall numbers might be slightly misleading due to Sam Steel’s late empty-net goal, the statistics in the box score are not very kind to the top offensive stars for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4. Both forwards, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, were -3 in the game in 22+ minutes of ice time. Dallas did an excellent job holding the duo off the scoresheet again in Game 4.
Additionally, Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev is not giving the Avalanche the goaltending performance required for a deep run into the NHL Playoffs. In Game 4, Georgiev only stopped 88% of the pucks directed his way, allowing four goals on 33 shot attempts.
Colorado will need to significantly improve this if it hopes to see playoff action later this week. In contrast, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger posted a 96% save percentage on the other end of the ice.
Wishing All the Best to Valeri Nichushkin
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Details were not released accompanying the late-day announcement by the NHL regarding Nichushkin’s playing status in Game 4. This will be the third overall appearance for Nichushkin in the program, which renders an automatic six-month suspension to the Stars player. The forward should become eligible to re-apply next Fall.
While rumors are speculating on those details, we will not cover those here. We wish all the best to Nichushkin and those close to him.
About the Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports and entertainment journalist with diverse writing, broadcasting, and digital media credentials. With a varied professional background that includes an M.B.A. in Sports Management from Tiffin University, Chris can speak with authority on the subjects that he covers. Additional insightful sports articles can be located here.
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