Valeri Nichushkin took strides to take his hard-checking, goal-scoring game to another level this season. Same with his life away from the rink, his Colorado Avalanche teammates, coach and GM maintain.

As if Mikko Rantanen playing his old team wasn't enough, the Stars and Avalanche series is starting to ooze with storylines.

The Dallas Stars will be without the player who scores the most goals for their first playoff game on Saturday night.