Whenever the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars face off, it’s going to be one hell of a game, and this one doesn’t disappoint. After numerous lead changes and an eventful overtime, the Stars won 5-4 in the shootout.
The majority of the first period belonged to the Colorado Avalanche, with plenty of chances, scoring opportunities, and shots off the post. Lian Bichsel takes the first penalty of the game for hooking, but the Avalanche fails to capitalize on it. Through the first ten minutes, the Avalanche outshot the Stars 9-1. The Stars get their first power play of the game when Josh Manson is called for hooking, but they don’t capitalize.
Thomas Harley is called for cross-checking, but the Avalanche, after numerous great chances, can’t capitalize. With under two minutes remaining, Mikko Rantanen finds the trailing Harley, who blasts it past Scott Wedgwood to open the scoring and end the first period 1-0 Stars.
A much more eventful period than the first, and the action starts just one minute in as Rantanen is called for high-sticking. The Avalanche fails to capitalize on the power play. It’s Martin Necas shortly after, who receives a nice pass from MacKinnon to bury it and ties the game 1-1. Ross Colton rocks Miro Heiskanen, and Justin Hryckowian steps up for his teammate to fight him. No instigator penalty is called, and both head to the bench.
Victor Oloffson drives hard to the net and opens up a great rebound opportunity for Gavin Brindley, who buries the chance to score his first career NHL goal and give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead. Cale Makar is called for tripping, but the Avalanche penalty kill does a great job, especially Josh Manson, with a big glove save when Wedgewood is caught out of his crease.
Though it’s Nathan Bastian shortly after the Avalanche have a defensive breakdown in their zone, and he bats in a rebound to tie the game 2-2. With under two minutes left, Harley sends a shot from the blueline, and it’s Jason Robertson who redirects it and tips it in to give the Stars a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
Thirty seconds into the period, Artturi Lehkonen tips in MacKinnon’s rebound and ties the game 3-3. It’s not tied long as Wyatt Johnston on the breakaway beats Wedgwood to regain the lead for the Stars, 4-3. Ilya Lybushkin is called for high-sticking and is upgraded to a double minor, sending the Avalanche to the power play.
The Stars do a good job of killing most of the power play, but it’s Necas who finds MacKinnon for the one-timer to tie the game up once again, 4-4. After that goal, the Avalanche really found their footing, generating numerous chances, but Oettinger has been on top of his game, keeping the game tied and sending it to overtime.
Both teams get plenty of chances, but it’s Oettinger making more crucial saves to force the game into a shootout. However, it’s the Stars who come up with the extra point and win in the shootout, 5-4.
Insider Doubts Colorado Avalanche Will Hold Onto Martin Nečas
A big issue the Colorado Avalanche face this season is that Martin Necas and his expiring contract this summer set him up to be an unrestricted free agent. The Avalanche have been in this position before, last season, and their experience with trying to re-sign Mikko Rantanen ultimately led to trading him to the Carolina Hurricanes and acquiring Necas in a package deal. While Necas might not command the same extension price that Rantanen received from the Dallas Stars after being traded from the Hurricanes, an insider speculates that he would be “shocked” if the Avalanche agreed to extend Necas.
Colorado Avalanche to Revive Nordiques Look as Teased Third Jersey
The Colorado Avalanche have posted on X of what could be the third jerseys they will use this season, the Quebec Nordiques jerseys that was used before they relocated to Denver Colorado
