Eurolanche

Avs start crucial stretch against Stars

The Colorado Avalanche have won all four games against the Dallas Stars. Avalanche forwards Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene and Alex Tanguay have two goals and three assists each.

Avalanche (26-24-11) team scope: Colorado and Dallas enter tied with 63 points, seven behind the second Western Conference wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche play the Stars and Minnesota Wild in consecutive games as part of a stretch that could determine their season. "I'd like to say no, but I think it is," coach Patrick Roy told 104.3 The Fan in Denver. "This is an important two games in our season and we're going to have to win big games. This is a good challenge for our team." Colorado has scored 21 goals winning four of its past six games. Defenseman Eric Johnson (knee) could begin skating in two weeks, and forward Patrick Bordeleau (knee) has been skating on his own, Roy said. Center Ryan O'Reilly has six assists in his past six games.

Stars (27-25-9) team scope: Dallas has lost four in a row. "We are at that time of the year where we've got to find a way to get two points," defenseman Trevor Daley told the Stars website. "We are at that desperation time where we need wins." Stars coach Lindy Ruff rearranged his lines at practice Thursday by splitting forwards Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. Benn skated with Cody Eakin and Brett Ritchie, Spezza was reunited with Erik Cole and Ales Hemsky, and Vernon Fiddler centered Antoine Roussel and Ryan Garbutt. "After you lose a few, it might be an opportunity to spread some of the offense around," Ruff said. Goalie Kari Lehtonen (undisclosed) practiced the past two days and is probable; the Stars remain without forward Patrick Eaves (concussion).

-- by Jon Lane for NHL.com --