NHL · October 14, 2026 · 8:38 PM ET
Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche
Free LineCrush game report for Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche on October 14, 2026, with matchup analysis and pick ideas generated for the daily slate. Reports can update as lineups, injuries, and odds develop, so confirm time-sensitive details before acting.
Matchup Analysis
Rematch goaltending keeps the matchup tight
Casey DeSmith and Scott Wedgewood are confirmed for Wednesday's rematch after Mackenzie Blackwood started Tuesday. Colorado won the opener 3-2, so the new crease matchup supports a tighter read than simply chasing the Avalanche's narrow opening-game edge.
SourceHintz is available, but his hand matters
Roope Hintz remains available and is still centering Robertson and Benn, but he saw the team doctor after Tuesday's fight and had his hand iced. That combination supports caution on his shot volume despite his availability and recent offensive role.
SourceDallas is reshuffling around Johnston's illness
Wyatt Johnston was scratched with an illness before Tuesday's game, lost his top power-play spot to Tyler Seguin, and Justin Hryckowian moved onto the Steel-Rantanen line. Dallas therefore has meaningful role volatility beyond the reported absence of a forward, with Seguin and Hryckowian receiving the clearest opportunity shifts.
SourceColorado's blue-line deployment remains fluid
Colorado's defensive status is still a variable, while Cale Makar missed Tuesday for the birth of his twins rather than an injury. Makar also said he wanted an every-other-day rhythm, and Brent Burns was listed on the third pair after a difficult outing, creating both upside and uncertainty in Colorado's defensive usage.
SourceColorado's home attack supports selective offense
The Avalanche's preview lists 5.67 goals per game at home, best in the NHL in a small sample. That attacking profile aligns with Colorado's reported depth-scoring and special-teams confidence, but its documented tension between urgency and discipline makes player-specific offense preferable to assuming a runaway result.
SourcePick Ideas
Tyler Seguin over shots on goal
Seguin produced six first-period shots Tuesday, was described as looking fully healthy, and filled Johnston's top power-play spot before scoring with the man advantage. Dallas's illness-driven line adjustment gives him a concrete opportunity boost, making his shots-on-goal over a stronger angle than relying on his earlier bottom-six deployment.
Roope Hintz under shots on goal
Hintz is available and remains in a prominent line role, but his hand was iced after Tuesday's fight and he saw the team doctor. That specific physical concern offsets the benefit of centering Robertson and Benn and supports his shots-on-goal under.
Justin Hryckowian over shots on goal
Hryckowian moved onto the Steel-Rantanen line after Johnston's illness, giving him a more offensively relevant assignment than a routine depth role. Dallas's adjustment concentrates opportunity on that line, supporting a shots-on-goal over if the elevated placement holds.
Nicolas Roy over shots on goal
Roy said he worked on his shot and may take more attempts, while Bednar highlighted his inside attacks and physical strength. His placement on the Kelly-Roy-L'Heureux line instead of Colorado's top unit limits the upside, but the expanded shooting intent and Colorado's strong home attack still support an over at an appropriately modest number.
Cale Makar over points if active
Makar missed Tuesday for the birth of his twins rather than an injury, and Devon Toews has produced five points in five games beside him. His stated concern about breaking an every-other-day rhythm adds risk, but his return would restore a high-impact offensive pairing against a Dallas defense facing a rematch and new goaltending.
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