DENVER — For the Colorado Avalanche, the response wanted to be there in opposition to the Dallas Stars in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention Second Spherical.

Sadly, the Avalanche performed what could have been their worst sport of the best-of-7 sequence in a 5-1 loss at Ball Area. It was definitely their worst first interval of the 4 video games, and now they’ll need to provide you with solutions quick to keep away from elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“We appeared frozen within the first interval. We weren’t shifting, we weren’t skating. It appeared like we had been exhausted, and we must be the rested crew,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned.

The Avalanche gained their first-round sequence in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets in 5 video games whereas the Stars wanted seven to remove the Vegas Golden Knights.

“I believed we received higher within the second, however it was nonetheless a battle,” Bednar mentioned. “Sluggish tempo, sluggish to considering, lack of execution. I didn’t really feel prefer it was the blokes weren’t making an attempt, however every little thing felt prefer it was a battle tonight.”

It might have been because of information the Avalanche received previous to the sport.

The NHL and NHL Gamers’ Affiliation introduced that ahead Valeri Nichushkin was positioned in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Participant Help Program. Beneath the phrases of this system, Nichushkin will likely be suspended with out pay for at least six months after which will likely be eligible to use for reinstatement.

Nichushkin had 10 factors (9 objectives, one help) in eight video games within the playoffs. His 9 objectives are tied for essentially the most this postseason with Edmonton Oilers ahead Zach Hyman.

The Avalanche additionally had been with out defenseman Devon Toews due to an sickness. Toews, a part of the highest pair with Cale Makar, has six factors (one purpose, 5 assists) in eight postseason video games and is averaging 23:45 of ice time per sport, second to Makar (25:45).

“I imply, it is undoubtedly powerful,” Makar mentioned. “Clearly you go house anticipating each to play. It is unlucky the way in which that it ended up. On the similar time, we’ve got a deep group, we get (ahead Jonathan Drouin) again, so there was a number of confidence within the room.”

Sadly, the arrogance didn’t translate onto the ice. The Avalanche appeared disconnected, struggling to finish passes or muster something in opposition to Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger. They had been outshot 16-2 within the first interval.

“That was in all probability their finest interval of the sequence, I might say, and it appeared like we weren’t clear sufficient getting out of our finish, we weren’t clear sufficient stepping into their finish,” Avalanche ahead Andrew Cogliano mentioned. “They did a very good job and finally received the lead on us. We simply have to be higher. We have to discover methods to start out the sport higher and create momentum that we will carry via the sport.”

One of many few standouts for the Avalanche was goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who appeared excellent in saving 15 of the 16 pictures he confronted within the first. The one shot that eluded him within the first was a short-handed purpose by Wyatt Johnston, who capitalized on a turnover by Makar deep in his defensive zone and needed to take a whack or two at it for it to go. Georgiev completed with 29 saves.

“That was a foul first interval by us. Couldn’t generate something and so they had been producing possibilities and ‘Georgy’ got here up big for the primary interval, and the entire sport,” mentioned Drouin, who performed for the primary time this postseason after lacking the previous eight video games due to a lower-body damage. “He gave us an opportunity to win, and we didn’t play effectively sufficient.”

As soon as once more, the Avalanche entered the third interval trailing, this time 3-1. As soon as once more, they tried to get again into it, with 12 of their 25 pictures coming within the third. As soon as once more, the Stars had the ultimate say, including two extra objectives to pad their lead.

The Stars now lead the best-of-7 sequence 3-1 coming into Recreation 5, when they are going to have an opportunity to advance to the Western Convention Ultimate, at American Airways Heart in Dallas on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).

The day began with the Avalanche trying to even this sequence. It ended with them getting dangerous information on two of their high gamers. Whether or not Toews returns for Recreation 5 stays to be seen, however irrespective of who’s within the lineup, the Avalanche will want their finest to maintain the sequence alive.

“Simply received to seek out methods to start out higher,” Makar mentioned. “Simply appeared like we had been sort of sitting again at occasions early on, and undoubtedly combating it, nearly like we had been slightly bit nervous. Clearly season is on the road now, so we have to present them every little thing we’ve got.”