Colorado Avalanche (24-11-3, first in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (22-10-4, third in the Central Division)
Dallas; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche visit the Dallas Stars after Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the Avalanche's 5-4 overtime win against the New York Islanders.
Dallas has an 8-2-1 record in Central Division games and a 22-10-4 record overall. The Stars have scored 129 total goals (3.6 per game) to rank fourth in league play.
Colorado is 24-11-3 overall and 6-5-2 against the Central Division. The Avalanche have a +24 scoring differential, with 138 total goals scored and 114 allowed.
The teams match up Thursday for the second time this season. The Avalanche won the previous matchup 6-3. Nichushkin scored two goals in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Roope Hintz has 15 goals and 18 assists for the Stars. Jason Robertson has four goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.
Nathan MacKinnon has 20 goals and 41 assists for the Avalanche. Nichushkin has scored nine goals with six assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Stars: 7-2-1, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.6 assists, 2.8 penalties and six penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
Avalanche: 7-2-1, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.8 assists, 4.2 penalties and 11.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Stars: Jake Oettinger: out (lower-body), Jerad Rosburg: out (undisclosed).
Avalanche: Chris Wagner: out (achilles), Artturi Lehkonen: out (neck), Gabriel Landeskog: out (knee), Pavel Francouz: out for season (groin).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
