Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) takes the puck around the net against New York Rangers defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (5) during the first period at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, March 28, 2024. New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31). ) keeps his eyes on the work. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
The Colorado Avalanche have been the NHL’s best offense in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they could get a needed boost against the stingy Dallas Stars.
Jonathan Drouin skated in his usual spot with the first power-play unit Monday morning and could return to the Avs’ lineup in Game 4 against the Stars at Ball Arena.
“He’s a good player, a really good player,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “We missed them while he was away. He can move around our lineup and help with the skill part, the skating part. He has become a trusted defensive player for us. So he brings a lot.”
![Avalanche could get a lift from Jonathan Drouin’s comeback against the Stars Avalanche could get a lift from Jonathan Drouin’s comeback against the Stars](https://i0.wp.com/keynoteusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Avalanche-could-get-a-lift-from-Jonathan-Drouins-comeback-against.jpg?resize=1024%2C818&ssl=1)
Drouin was injured in the regular season finale on April 18 against the Edmonton Oilers. He suffered a cut on his leg. The Avs ruled him out for at least the first round, then Bednar said the timeline was “four weeks or less” from the incident and he hoped it would be less.
He’s been skating with the team for a few days in a baby blue practice uniform, but on Monday he changed into the regular blue sweater reserved for PP1 (and captain Gabe Landeskog). When asked about the need to be careful about reopening the injury, Bednar responded: “I wouldn’t play if that possibility existed.”
Drouin signed with the Avs to a one-year deal in the offseason after a disappointing end to his six-year tenure with the Canadiens. He got off to a slow start with Colorado but eventually became an integral part of the club’s top six forwards.
He scored 19 goals and a career-high 56 points during the regular season.
“It would be a big boost,” Avs defenseman Josh Manson said. “I mean, he’s a great player. He was great for us all year. I know in the playoffs he’s a tough guy and he’ll step up and he’ll want to contribute. I’m excited for him to be able to come back.”
The Avs have averaged a league-best 4.5 goals per game in their first eight games of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But it’s been a tougher slog against defensive-minded Dallas than against Winnipeg, the league’s co-leaders in fewest goals allowed during the regular season.
Colorado has not led during play in this series. The Avalanche also didn’t score a goal in the first period and only beat Jake Oettinger once in a 4-1 loss in Game 3 here two nights ago.
Perhaps the place where Drouin can have the most immediate impact is on the power play.
“Yeah, a very smart player: high hockey IQ and very good vision… so he’s a very good power player,” Avs forward Mikko Rantanen said. “I think he always has been.”
![Avalanche could get a lift from Jonathan Drouin's comeback against the Stars Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) scores a goal against](https://i0.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TDP-L-AVS-PREDATORS_DSC0074.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
The Avs started the postseason red-hot with the extra man, including a 6-for-16 run against Winnipeg, and then connected on both chances to help rally and take Game 1 away from Dallas. But, as Bednar pointed out, the Stars have increased the pressure on the PK in the last two games.
Colorado has gone 0-for-3 in both games, which were one-goal games in the final minutes (Dallas added two late empty-net goals in Game 3). Drouin typically plays in the middle or center spot in the Avalanche’s 1-3-1 lineup when he’s with the first power unit.
“Drouin is good at finding space, where you can use him and try to break pressure,” Bednar said. “That could be helpful for us against Dallas because of the way they’re pressing. He has the skill and ability to shoot or pass. Mixing it doesn’t hurt.”
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