Limping and losing their way into the postseason, the Stars are not counting themselves out against the Avalanche.

The Dallas Stars will be without the player who scores the most goals for their first playoff game on Saturday night.

The Stars have no choice if they want another long playoff run after making it to the West final each of the past two seasons. Dallas, still the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, opens the postseason Saturday night with Game 1 at home against rested Central Division rival Colorado. The Avalanche finished their regular season last Sunday.