Michael Hutchinson starts Game 6

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – The Avalanche will again put its trust in Michael Hutchinson, as the veteran goalie will start Game 6 against the Dallas Stars here at Rogers Place.

Pavel Francouz again was deemed “unfit to play”, a source told Colorado Hockey Now, making Hunter Miska the backup to Hutchinson.

Hutchinson made 31 saves in Colorado’s 6-3 victory in Game 5. This will be Hutchinson’s second career postseason start.

Matt Calvert, though he skated some this morning, will not play in Game 6. Neither will Joonas Donskoi. Avs regulars Erik Johnson and Philipp Grubauer remain also with longer-term injuries.

The Stars will start Anton Khudobin in goal. Ben Bishop, normally the No. 1 goalie, was lit up in Game 5. Bishop did not even dress for the game.

Connor Timmins will play again on defense for the Avs. who must win the game or else the 2019-20 season will be over. Kevin Connauton was the healthy scratch.

If the Avs do win the game, they will head to a Game 7, which would be the third one between the teams since 1999. The other two came in the conference finals in 1999 and 2000, both won by Dallas.

Game 7 would be Friday night here.