Avalanche Game 68 vs Dallas Stars: Rantanen Returns, Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (40-24-3) are back at home to take on Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars (42-21-2). Puck drop is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. MT.

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I’m not sure I ever remember a regular-season game as big as this, not just for the Avalanche but for the NHL in general.

It’s a must-watch for all hockey fans.

Rantanen is back in Colorado to take on his former team less than two months after he was suddenly traded to Carolina. But he’s not coming back as a Hurricane; he’s returning as a member of a division rival — the same team that eliminated him and the Avs in the second round last spring. They are curently on a collision course for a rematch in the first round as two of the top Stanley Cup favorites.

On top of that, it’s a game that means so much in the standings. Colorado still has a shot at home-ice advantage and a win on Sunday could go a long way toward inching closer to that. The Avs are three points behind Dallas, although the Stars have two games in hand.

If that wasn’t enough, it’s also a nationally televised matinee game on TNT, with no other games on at the same time. All eyes will be on this game. It doesn’t get any bigger than this.

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Colorado is 7-0-1 in its last eight games overall and has also won each of its last eight games at Ball Arena, dating back to Jan. 31.

In fact, the last time the Avs lost at home was on Jan. 22 — a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets in what ended up being Rantanen’s last game as a member of the Avalanche.

Rantanen leads the Stars in goals, assists, and points. He’s playing on a line with Jason Robertson and center Roope Hintz, if he’s healthy. Hintz practiced in Denver on Saturday after missing Friday’s game in Winnipeg.

Rantanen has two goals and an assist in three games since joining Dallas and signing a max-term $96 million contract extension. His ice time is on par with where it was with the Canes, averaging just under 20 minutes per night.

If you’re going to be at the game, expect an emotional video tribute for the Avalanche great at the first commercial break. After that, Rantanen might be booed by the crowd. I don’t agree with it, but it’s part of the game.

Since there won’t be a morning skate, it’s unclear if the Avs are going to make any lineup changes. Josh Manson left last game with an upper-body injury. If he’s unable to play, expect Sam Malinski and Erik Johnson to both be in the lineup. It would be the first time they’re playing at the same time after alternating the four games since the trade deadline.

The only other change I could see happening since last game is Mackenzie Blackwood coming in for Scott Wedgewood after playing as the backup in Calgary. Blackwood was supposed to get the nod against the Flames but was feeling under the weather.

Per usual, please take the line combinations with a grain of salt since there was no morning skate.

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