For Game 5, the Stars will make one lineup change, replacing forward Mavrik Bourque with Oskar Bäck.

With the series tied at 2-2, Game 5 between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche is set to be a pivotal matchup in Dallas.

The Stars are coming off a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Avalanche, where Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog scored his first goal since June 2022.

Stars' key offensive players, including Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, and Matt Duchene, have yet to make significant contributions in the series, which coach Peter DeBoer acknowledges could be a turning point.

DeBoer expressed confidence that the Stars' top players are 'due' for a breakthrough performance as the series progresses.

In a setback for the team, defenseman Miro Heiskanen will not play in Game 5, as confirmed by DeBoer.

Although Heiskanen participated in the morning skate and practiced with the power play unit, he remains 'day to day' and will not return yet.

Heiskanen has been sidelined since January 28 due to a left knee injury sustained during a collision with Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, and he has been recovering from knee surgery.

DeBoer is considering the option of using seven defensemen instead of six to ease Heiskanen back into the lineup, although no decision has been made.