Gazette, The (Colorado Springs): Avs looking for something extra/Two victories in Dallas could prove

DALLAS - The Colorado Avalanche had modest goals for its trip to Texas: win a game.

With one victory in their pocket, the Avs are getting much more ambitious, and even a little greedy. Like a blackjack player dealt two aces, the Avs don't only want to split, they want to break the house.

"It would be huge to go back to Denver with a two-zip lead," said winger Milan Hejduk.

It would also discourage, demoralize and likely defeat the Dallas Stars. If the Avs take a 2-0 lead in these Western Conference finals tonight, they will have a chance to close the series at the Pepsi Center, where they haven't dropped a game in the playoffs.

Even if the Avs lose Game 2, their stay in big D has already been quite large. On Saturday, Colorado delivered more hits, blocked more shots and scored more goals, beating Dallas, 2-0.

After tonight, that might be the score of the series.

"We definitely look at this as a must-game," said Dallas defenseman Derian Hatcher. "We want to win, there's no hiding that, but now we know it will take our best game. We have to push ourselves."

That's what they did after losing Game 1 of the Western Conference finals a year ago. They threw 45 shots at Colorado goalie Patrick Roy, scored a 4-2 win, and eventually took the series.

"We have to put away what happened last year," said Colorado coach Bob Hartley. "We can't live in the past, but we can learn from the past."

Before Sunday's practice, the Avs convened at Reunion Arena and told themselves that the Stars are not going to burn out. Hartley called them the best team in the NHL. Forward Dave Andreychuk reminded everyone - five times or so - that Dallas is the defending Stanley Cup champion. Winger Adam Deadmarsh went so far as to describe it as a must-win game.

"We're not wounded," said Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock. "They just drew first blood. I still don't think we need a lot of 'Xs and Os.'"

The letter they need is a "W," and Colorado does not part with those easily. The Avs have won 17 of their past 19 games, are 9-2 in the playoffs and still haven't lost without injured defenseman Ray Bourque, who may miss Game 2 with a sore knee.

"We're as loose as anybody," Andreychuk said. "I just hope we're not over-confident."

In the first round, the Avs split in Phoenix. In the second, they split in Detroit. With one win in Dallas, they're trying to build their appetite for another.

"You always want the split, for sure," Deadmarsh said. "But we don't want to be satisfied. You always feel the pressure."

If Colorado wins tonight, that pressure will fit firmly around the Stars' throat.

- Lee Jenkins may be reached at 636-0195 or at ljenkins@gazette.com. Edited by Jim O'Connell. Headline by Jim Wilson.