That play had to be reviewed to make sure it was not a distinct kicking motion, which would have negated it.
By the letter of the rule, you might have been able to argue that he did kick it, but this is also one of those situations where common sense has to prevail. There is no way that act was done intentionally, and certainly not with the intent of scoring.
Weird bounce. Lucky bounce for the Avalanche.
Stars’ injuries are going to be a problem
The Stars entered the playoffs on a seven-game losing streak, and were not able to snap it on Saturday night.
It was not for a lack of effort.
It was also not necessarily because they played poorly.
The game was a lot closer than the final score would have you believe.
This was the combination of Colorado playing even better, Avalanche goalie MacKenzie Blackwood playing outstanding and the Stars also being without two of their best players in forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen.
This series was always going to be a 50-50 coin flip if both teams were healthy given how good both teams are and how evenly matched they are. But the Stars are clearly not healthy at the moment, and not having their best forward (Robertson) and defenseman (Heiskanen) is going to be a lot to overcome. It might be too much.
Colorado has to be encouraged by MacKenzie Blackwood
Goaltending has been the big question mark for Colorado for a couple of years now, but they seem to have found a solution after acquiring Blackwood earlier this season.
Even so, he entered Saturday having never appeared in an NHL playoff game. Until a goalie does, there is always going to be some uncertainty on how they will handle it.
Colorado has to be encouraged with Blackwood’s performance in that context as he stopped 23 of the 24 Dallas shots he faced. The only goal he allowed came on a play where he lost his stick.
