DALLAS – In Game 1, the Avalanche controlled most shot attempts, shots on goal, and scoring chances. However, one trio lagged behind the rest up front.

The second line of Brock Nelson, Valeri Nichushkin, and Jonathan Drouin spent a bit more time in their own end during Saturday night’s 5-1 win compared to the rest of the forward group. When that trio was on the ice, the Stars dominated when it came to dangerous scoring chances, as the line ended the night with an expected goals for percentage of just 20.26%. Compare that to the top line, which finished the night at 82.91% and the fourth line, which finished at a whopping 100%.

There’s no denying the talent on the line, which is why it’s a little too early to worry about them. Nelson was brought in to be the second line center and probably had the best night of the three, dangling through Ilya Lyubushkin in the first period before failing to get his shot off. The other two were not at the top of their game, although Drouin may have a bit of an excuse.

Playing his first game in 17 days, Drouin’s puck touches weren’t crisp, a clear sign of rust. Nichushkin also looked a little off, fumbling passes that he normally has no issue with. Both Drouin and Nichushkin failed to register a shot on goal at even strength, while Nelson finished with just one.

With the Avalanche holding an optional practice on Sunday, all three members of the line hit the ice to get some work in. Bednar spoke about his second line center while the trio was still practicing.

“He’s super responsible (defensively), which I love,” Bednar said. “I still think that there’s another step to his offensive game that we can see.”

Given the success the other lines saw in Game 1, the second line will likely stay together. They’ll need a better performance against a desperate Stars team looking to avoid heading back to Denver down 2-0.