• Garners helper in win
    Manson provided an assist, five shots on goal and eight hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

    Advice: Manson's offense has slowed in the second round -- he has two helpers across five games against the Stars after racking up two goals and three assists over five contests versus the Jets in the first round. The 32-year-old defenseman continues to occupy a top-four role for the Avalanche, providing solid defense in addition to his surprising offense. Through 10 playoff appearances, he has 23 shots on net, 35 hits, 19 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a plus-8 rating. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:40 pm
  • Helps out on power play
    Rantanen logged a power-play assist, three shots on goal and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

    Advice: Rantanen helped out on a Cale Makar tally late in the second period, which tied the game at 2-2. After posting one goal over the Avalanche's previous three contests, head coach Jared Bednar moved Rantanen down to the second line at even strength, a switch that could negatively impact the winger's offense. He's at 13 points (four on the power play) with 27 shots on net, 19 hits, 12 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 10 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:32 pm
  • One of each in win
    MacKinnon scored a goal on two shots and added a power-play assist in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

    Advice: MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen set up each other's goals in the contest. The marker was MacKinnon's first since Game 1 of the second round, though he's still managed five points over as many contests in the series. He's at four goals, 10 helpers, 40 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating through 10 playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:24 pm
  • Scores twice in Game 5
    Makar scored two goals on five shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

    Advice: Makar tallied on a power play late in the second period and scored again at even strength in the third. His second goal was the game-winner. Makar has been held off the scoresheet in the Avalanche's three losses in the second round, but he's earned five points in their two wins. The defenseman is up to five goals, 14 points (seven on the power play), 34 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 10 playoff outings. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:22 pm
  • Playing Wednesday
    Toews (illness) will be in action versus Dallas for Game 5 on Wednesday, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Toews' return to the lineup should bolster the Avs' offensive options considering he has generated six points through eight postseason contests. Caleb Jones figures to be dropped from the lineup due to Toews' return. In addition to pairing with Cale Makar, the 30-year-old Toews will probably link up with the No. 2 power-play unit. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:39 am
  • Traveling with team
    Toews (illness) will make the trip to Dallas ahead of Wednesday's must-win Game 5 versus the Stars, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

    Advice: Toews missed Monday's Game 4 due to an illness, but he's reportedly feeling better Tuesday, making it seem likely he'll return for Wednesday's must-win contest. The 30-year-old defender has collected one goal and six points through eight games this postseason. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:19 am
  • Out Monday
    Toews (illness) will not be available for Game 4 against the Stars on Monday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

    Advice: Toews was available at morning skate but ended up being a late scratch for Monday's game. The 30-year-old blueliner has a goal and six points through eight postseason games after posting 50 points during the regular season. Caleb Jones is expected to dress Monday. Toews' status for Wednesday's Game 5 is currently unknown. Rotowire.com Monday, 6:31 pm
  • Back in assistance program
    Nichushkin was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday and will be suspended for six months.

    Advice: Nichushkin was in the program during the regular season, missing 22 games as a result. Now, he's in Stage 3 of the program and will need to apply for reinstatement after a six-month suspension. He scored 28 goals and 53 points through 54 games this season. Nichushkin also racked up nine goals and 10 points through eight playoff games. With him out, Zach Parise could see a bump in playing time. Rotowire.com Monday, 6:04 pm
  • Two more points in win
    Rodrigues had two assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Boston in Game 4.

    Advice: Rodrigues is heating up with two goals and two assists over his last two games. He had the primary assist on Anton Lundell's second-period goal that cut Boston's lead to one. Rodrigues also added a secondary assist on Sam Bennett's game-tying power-play goal early in the third period. The 30-year-old Rodrigues is up to three goals, three assists and a minus-1 rating in 9 contests so far this postseason. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:00 pm