Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions April 21st 2025

Stars Aim to Rebound Against Avalanche in Crucial Game 2 Showdown

The Dallas Stars are no strangers to slow postseason starts — but after dropping Game 1 of their first-round series to the Colorado Avalanche in emphatic fashion, they’ll need to snap their series-opening funk quickly. Game 2 at American Airlines Center on Monday night is already shaping up as a must-win moment for a team still searching for traction.

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Familiar Script for Dallas — and One They Need to Flip

Saturday’s 5-1 loss was the eighth straight Game 1 defeat for the Stars in postseason play. While they’ve managed to win four of those series, Dallas also enters Game 2 on a broader seven-game winless streak dating back to the regular season (0-5-2).

“We don’t want to be in this situation, but we’ve had a lot of experience being down 1-0,” said Stars forward Wyatt Johnston. “The most important game is the next game.”

Despite the lopsided final score, the game was tight until the final eight minutes. The Avalanche held a narrow 2-1 lead before breaking it open late, capitalizing on a deflection and an empty-net goal. Jake Oettinger stopped just 19 of 23 shots but faced several unlucky deflections — not fully reflective of his overall performance.

Miro Heiskanen’s absence on the blue line continues to be felt, though the elite defenseman is practicing in a non-contact jersey and could be nearing a return.

Colorado Rolls Behind MacKinnon, Blackwood

The Avalanche got a big boost with the return of Nathan MacKinnon, who made an immediate impact after missing the final three games of the regular season. MacKinnon exploded for two goals and an assist in Game 1, becoming just the 68th player in NHL history to record 50 playoff goals.

“You prepare your best, do your best, and see where the chips fall,” said MacKinnon. “(Blackwood) made some huge saves. It easily could have been 2-2.”

Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was solid in his playoff debut, stopping 23 of 24 shots and quieting concerns about his inexperience. His poised performance, combined with clutch scoring and a suffocating late-game push, gave Colorado a big road win to open the series.

The Avalanche could also get another major reinforcement soon. Captain Gabriel Landeskog, sidelined since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final due to knee surgeries, is skating again and might return as early as Game 2.

Forward Ross Colton (lower-body injury) is questionable after exiting Game 1 early in the third period.

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Game 2 X-Factors

• MacKinnon’s Momentum: After a dominant Game 1, can Dallas slow him down?
• Stars’ Blue Line: The possible return of Heiskanen would stabilize a defense that struggled late.
• Blackwood’s Composure: If the Avs’ goalie maintains his level, Colorado might take a 2-0 series lead back home.

Avalanche Hold the Edge — But Stars Have Proven Bounce-Back Ability

History says the Stars are resilient. But another loss at home would leave them in a deep 0-2 hole heading to Denver, where the Avalanche are historically tough. Monday’s Game 2 offers Dallas a golden chance to flip the momentum — but they’ll need sharper execution, better goaltending luck, and, potentially, key reinforcements to get it done.