Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions April 19th 2025

Western Conference First Round: Game 1 Preview

The Dallas Stars enter the Stanley Cup playoffs facing early adversity as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series Saturday night. Missing two key players — top scorer Jason Robertson and cornerstone defenseman Miro Heiskanen — the Stars will need a collective effort to overcome a red-hot Avalanche team.

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Robertson, Heiskanen Injuries a Major Blow

Jason Robertson, who led Dallas in goals this season, is sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained in the season finale. He’s considered week-to-week, a tough break for a team already without top defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Dallas also dropped its last seven games (0-5-2) and now finds itself in need of a major turnaround.

Coach Pete DeBoer acknowledged the challenge but struck a playoff-hardened tone: “Next man up. That’s playoffs. You’ve just got to keep moving forward.”

Veteran forward Tyler Seguin, returning from hip surgery, echoed that sentiment. “We’ve seen teams do it and we’re going to do it,” he said.

Avalanche Reshaped and Recharged

Colorado has surged since February, finishing strong and retooling its roster in dramatic fashion. The Avs moved Mikko Rantanen to Carolina, then acquired him back through Dallas just ahead of the deadline, only to see him sign long-term with the Stars.

In return, Colorado added scoring depth in Martin Necas and Jack Drury, restructured their goalie tandem to Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, and brought in veteran stability with Charlie Coyle, Brock Nelson, Erik Johnson, and Ryan Lindgren.

“It wasn’t by design,” said GM Chris MacFarland. “Things just kind of fell that way.”

Captain Gabriel Landeskog is also nearing a dramatic return after missing nearly three seasons due to knee issues. The 2022 Cup winner skated in two AHL tune-up games and could be available in this series.

Storylines to Watch

• Rantanen’s Revenge: The former Avalanche star will face his old team after signing with Dallas in March. Though friendly off the ice, Rantanen said, “It’s business when the puck drops.”
• Goaltending Matchup: The revamped Colorado tandem of Blackwood and Wedgewood will try to contain a Dallas team still loaded with offensive firepower, even without Robertson.
• Landeskog’s Impact: His return could be a game-changer for Colorado — not only in terms of leadership, but also secondary scoring and playoff poise.

Outlook

This series carries all the drama of a heavyweight playoff clash: a rivalry renewed, emotional roster shakeups, and both teams hungry for a deep run. The Stars must find offensive answers without their biggest weapon, while the Avalanche will test their chemistry with a radically altered roster.

NHL Betting Picks players should pay attention to how Dallas adjusts without Robertson and whether Colorado’s new-look lineup can gel under postseason pressure.