Eurolanche

Johnson will bolster defense for Avs

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche scored five consecutive goals in a 6-3 victory against the Dallas Stars at Pepsi Center on Oct. 10. John Mitchell scored the go-ahead marker midway through the third period, and Gabriel Landeskog had two tallies and two assists. Cody Eakin scored two goals for Dallas.

Avalanche team scope: Colorado will have defenseman Erik Johnson back in the lineup. He was activated from injured reserve Friday after missing nine games with a lower-body injury. Nikita Zadorov was assigned to San Antonio of the American Hockey League.

The Avalanche brings a three-game winning streak to Dallas after rallying for a 2-1 shootout victory against the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Nathan MacKinnon tied the game with 53.7 seconds left in the third period, and Landeskog scored the only goal in the shootout.

“We’re trying to catch as many teams as possible,” MacKinnon said. “Dallas is a few points ahead of us, but [there are] a lot of games left and we feel good as a team right now.”

Stars team scope: Forwards Jason Spezza and Patrick Sharp didn't practice Friday, but coach Lindy Ruff said it was a maintenance day for each and that they are expected to play. Defenseman Jordie Benn (lower body) won't return until after the All-Star break.

The Stars will try to build off a 3-2 home win against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday after going 0-2-1 on a California road trip.

"Just to get two points; it's feeling good in here again. Winning helps," defenseman Alex Goligoski told Stars Inside Edge. "Definitely some areas we can be better. But coming back here after a bad road trip and getting two points was big."

by NHL.com