DENVER -- Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals, and the Colorado Avalanche avoided elimination with a 7-4 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round at Ball Arena on Thursday. The best-of-7 series is tied. Game 7 is in Dallas on Saturday.

Dallas takes a 3-2 series lead into Denver looking to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) swings at Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the third period of Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) AP