Avalanche vs. Stars: A Fierce Playoff Rivalry Reignites in Game 1
Alright, so here's the deal—Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round is about to be electric as the Colorado Avalanche head into Dallas to take on the Stars. This matchup is more than just another playoff series—it’s packed with storylines, history, and some serious firepower on both sides.
The spotlight is definitely on Mikko Rantanen, who’s facing his former team, the Avalanche, for the first time in the playoffs. It’s wild when you think about it—this guy’s a franchise legend in Colorado, fourth in all-time playoff points for the Avs/Nordiques. Now, he’s rocking a Stars jersey, after a whirlwind of trades earlier this season that ended with him signing a massive 8-year, $96 million deal in Dallas. Rantanen’s already faced Colorado once since the trade, grabbing an assist in a tight 4-3 OT loss. But this? This is a whole new level—playoffs, intensity, and a chance to make a statement.
On the Colorado side, they’re getting a serious boost at just the right time. Nine players are expected to return after missing time late in the regular season. Big names like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are back in action, and that could be a game-changer. One key absence, though, is captain Gabriel Landeskog—still recovering from a knee injury that’s kept him out since their Cup win in 2022.
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Now let’s talk goaltending. Colorado’s rolling with Mackenzie Blackwood, who’s making his playoff debut . That’s a huge X-factor. He’s up against Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, who has 47 career playoff games under his belt. That experience gap could play a big role, especially in the early going.
Dallas is coming into this one trying to break a brutal streak—they’ve lost seven straight Game 1s in best-of-seven series. It’s a trend they’re desperate to end, and Matt Duchene was pretty clear about it: they’ve got to hit first, bring the energy early, and not let Colorado dictate the pace. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are 7-2 in their last nine Game 1s, and even snagged an OT win in Dallas last year.
Injuries are a factor too. The Stars are without Jason Robertson—he’s week to week with a lower-body issue—and defenseman Miro Heiskanen isn’t quite ready either. Heiskanen was a beast against Colorado last year, so his absence hurts.
This one is shaping up to be tight. The Stars are slight underdogs at home, but they’ve got solid playoff experience, a deep roster, and a chip on their shoulder. The Avs, on the other hand, have elite firepower, playoff pedigree, and a bit of mystery in net with Blackwood.
It all goes down Saturday night in Dallas. Puck drops at 8:30 p.m. ET. Whether you’re riding with the Avs or backing the Stars, one thing’s for sure—this is going to be a battle worth watching.
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