Brock Nelson is feeling the pressure as Colorado Avalanche's second-line center during the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars. After three games without a point, Nelson is ready to break the slump, especially with captain Gabe Landeskog returning to bolster the power-play unit. The Avalanche's coach, Jared Bednar, has noted the importance of Nelson's line in contributing to the team's scoring, emphasizing the need for productive play. Nelson's lack of points contrasts sharply with his previous playoff performance, and he recognizes that facing the Stars poses a significant challenge. The Avalanche are looking for a spark from their second line as they navigate through this tightly contested series.

The Dallas Stars solidified their playoff aspirations with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, a game that showcased the resilience and talent of key players. After trailing for over 40 minutes, Jamie Benn's power play goal and Tyler Seguin's game-winner in overtime marked a significant comeback. Seguin's performance, particularly after a lengthy recovery from hip surgery, highlights his return to form, while Benn's redirect showcased his veteran skill. Val Nichushkin's early goal reminded fans of his journey from Dallas to Colorado. With this win, the Stars lead the series 2-1, despite leading for just over a minute throughout the contest.

The narrative of the game was enriched by the history of general manager Jim Nill, who was responsible for securing both Seguin and Nichushkin, linking past achievements with current success. The absence of Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen has challenged the team to find alternative scoring, yet Benn and Seguin have stepped up when it mattered most. Looking ahead, the Stars will rely on their depth, particularly the Finnish line, to clinch the series against a competitive Avalanche team.

The Colorado Avalanche suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of their playoff series, but the highlight was undoubtedly the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog after 1,032 days away from the ice. His immediate impact was felt when he leveled former teammate Mikko Rantanen just seconds into the game, igniting the crowd at Ball Arena.

Valeri Nichushkin showcased his importance to the Avalanche’s championship aspirations with a stunning goal, demonstrating his offensive prowess despite recent injuries. Both goaltenders, Mackenzie Blackwood and Jake Oettinger, exhibited high-level performances, though Blackwood ultimately succumbed to a late OT goal from Tyler Seguin.

In a thrilling matchup, the Colorado Avalanche overcame the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, thanks to Jimmy Vesey's first goal with the team and Charlie Coyle's clutch shootout goal. The Avs showcased their dominance, particularly in the latter half of the game, with a significant edge in shots on goal.

Valeri Nichushkin netted his 20th goal of the season, joining Nathan MacKinnon in the spotlight. MacKinnon's assist propelled him back to the top of the NHL scoring leaderboard with 116 points, matching Joe Sakic's franchise record for career points. The game highlighted Colorado's resilience despite missing several regulars, while Vegas continues to aim for the Pacific Division title.

The NHL season has unveiled an array of fantasy surprises and disappointments. Among the notable fantasy revelations, Anaheim's Jackson LaCombe has emerged as a potential 50-point defenseman, boosting his value as a top power-play anchor. Conversely, Boston's Jeremy Swayman has struggled mightily, suggesting he should be avoided in most leagues. Buffalo's JJ Peterka has proved to be a rising star, averaging 0.85 points per game, complementing the top line impressively.

Carolina's Shayne Gostisbehere has established himself as a power-play specialist, while Columbus’ Sean Monahan reclaims his role as a top-line center. Calgary's rookie goalie Dustin Wolf is solidifying his status as a Calder candidate. The Blackhawks see Connor Bedard as their only consistent forward amidst underwhelming performances from others. Colorado's Valeri Nichushkin has shown he can be a fantasy stalwart when healthy, while Dallas' Thomas Harley faces potential regression without Miro Heiskanen.

Detroit's Patrick Kane is bouncing back, making him a mid-round pick next draft season, while Edmonton's Stuart Skinner appears to be off fantasy radars after a disappointing season. Florida's Mackie Samoskevich could be a sleeper if he earns a top-six role next year. LA’s Darcy Kuemper and Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson are both proving their worth as top netminders. Meanwhile, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki showcases durability and offensive capability, while Nashville’s Steven Stamkos hints at a possible bounce-back next season.