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Stars vs Avalanche Game Preview: Dallas Closing In on Familiar Finish
The Dallas Stars are heading into Thursday night’s Game 6 in Denver with a golden opportunity—one they know all too well.
Just one year ago, they ended the Colorado Avalanche’s season. Now, they’re on the brink of doing it again, this time in the first round. Following a commanding 6-2 victory in Game 5, the Stars hold a 3-2 series lead and have momentum on their side.
Colorado, meanwhile, is searching for answers—on both ends of the ice.
Monitor game-day odds and prop bets with the NHL odds tracker.
Rantanen Scores, Stars Rally Around Their New Addition
The scene was strange, but impactful. Former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen, now in Dallas green, finally broke through with his first goal of the postseason in Game 5—and the bench went wild.
“You could tell by our group’s reaction how happy they were for him,” said Stars coach Peter DeBoer. “They see him carrying that pressure. He’s been all team-first.”
Rantanen’s goal was symbolic. It marked a turning point—not just in Game 5, but potentially the series. Dallas took control early, scoring nine seconds into the game, and never let up. The win put them one game away from advancing—and eliminating Colorado for the third time in six seasons.
Power Plays, Goaltending Telling the Story
Despite being down 3-2, Colorado has outscored Dallas 15-13 in the series and averages 33.2 shots per game, the third-most in the playoffs. But the scoring hasn’t always come when needed.
“You can look at all the numbers you want,” said Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin, “but if you’re not putting those in the net, you’re not going to win.”
Dallas, on the other hand, has been opportunistic. They’ve scored timely goals, including two in overtime, and have controlled the pace even without dominating puck possession.
Power play efficiency has also been a swing factor:
- Stars: 22.2%
- Avalanche: 17.7%
Dallas has also gotten depth scoring—four players have two goals in the series, and 16 different skaters have notched at least one point.
For detailed playoff stats and player matchups, visit the NHL team pages.
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Oettinger Rebounds, Blackwood Falters
Jake Oettinger, Dallas’ netminder, has had an up-and-down series but stepped up when it mattered most. After rough outings in Games 1 and 4, he delivered strong performances in the Stars’ two overtime wins—and stood tall in Game 5, stopping 27 shots.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s goaltending has taken a sharp turn.
Mackenzie Blackwood, who led the postseason in save percentage (.939) heading into Game 5, surrendered five goals on 13 shots, including a fluky deflection and the game-opener just seconds in.
His save percentage has now dipped to ninth among playoff goalies. Despite the setback, Blackwood is determined to reset.
“I’ve had bad goals go in before,” Blackwood said. “But it sucks when there’s two in the first period of a playoff game. Just got to move on.”
Find goaltender comparisons and prop betting trends on the NHL expert guide.
Colorado’s Offense Must Deliver—Now
If the Avalanche want to force a Game 7, they’ll need their big guns to show up. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Artturi Lehkonen have had moments, but not consistently. Rantanen’s absence on their roster has been visible—until Game 5, when he scored for Dallas instead.
Coach Jared Bednar knows it’s all or nothing now.
“We’ve got to stay disciplined and capitalize on our chances. Our season depends on it.”
What’s at Stake?
The Stars are aiming to eliminate Colorado for the second straight postseason, and if they succeed, it’ll mark their fifth playoff series win over the Avs since 1999.
For Colorado, this series was a chance to prove the roster tweaks and trade deadline moves paid off. If they go down Thursday, those efforts will yield just two playoff wins—and a long summer of questions.
Check upcoming brackets and playoff futures odds via the Stanley Cup predictions page.
Series Snapshot: Stars vs Avalanche
| Stat Category | Dallas Stars | Colorado Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Series Score | Leads 3-2 | Trails 2-3 |
| Top Scorer | Wyatt Johnston (6 pts) | Drouin, Makar (5 pts) |
| Goalie (Last Game) | Oettinger: .931 SV% | Blackwood: .615 SV% |
| Power Play % | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Shots/Game | 27.4 | 33.2 |
Key Players to Watch
Mikko Rantanen (DAL) – Facing his former team, Rantanen finally broke through. If he gets rolling, it’s lights out for the Avalanche.
Jake Oettinger (DAL) – Can he keep the momentum going after a solid Game 5 showing?
Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – The heart and soul of the Avs, MacKinnon must find another level in Game 6.
Mackenzie Blackwood (COL) – After his worst start of the postseason, how he responds will dictate Colorado’s fate.
FAQs
When is Stars vs Avalanche Game 6?
Thursday night in Denver at Ball Arena.
What’s the series score?
Dallas leads 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Who won Game 5?
Dallas dominated with a 6-2 win, scoring just 9 seconds into the game.
Who’s the top performer for Dallas?
Mikko Rantanen scored his first playoff goal for Dallas in Game 5. Wyatt Johnston leads in points.
What’s at stake for Colorado?
A loss ends their season and raises questions about offseason moves that haven’t translated into playoff success.
Where can I find daily NHL betting picks?
Check out the NHL Picks Page for expert predictions and props.
