The Colorado Avalanche may not be in the playoff hunt, but there's no reason they cannot play spoiler for the last remaining team on the schedule in playoff contention. The Dallas Stars are currently four points behind both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. The Stars, however, have one more game to play than their competitors, and get the distinct advantage of two straight games against a Colorado team that has failed to find consistency the second half of the season.
If Dallas manages to win their last three remaining games, they could end up tied with Chicago (though the Blackhawks hold the tiebreaker). Stars fans have to root for their team to sweep the last three games, and hope that Chicago misses a point in their last two contests against a Detroit Red Wings team that is hoping for a second seed.
It'll be an emotional day for Avalanche fans and players alike, as captain and the longest tenured member of the organization Adam Foote has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. Though he won't skate tonight, everyone hopes he will at least take the ice for the season finale on Sunday, in front of the home crowd one last time.
Brian Elliott will start for Colorado, the first time in a week. Kari Lehtonen will play in goal for the Dallas Stars.
Puck drops at 6:30 p.m. MDT.