The Dallas Stars have been a team of streaks in recent years and weeks. In recent weeks, the team has dropped their last seven regular season games, a first since moving to Dallas in 1993. In recent years, the Stars have have made it a habit in the playoffs in Game 1. They continued that habit as they dropped Game 1 to the Avalanche 5-1 at home.
The Stars and Avalanche kicked off their Game 1 matchup with a neck-and-neck 1st period that saw neither team being able to break the seal. The Stars had two opportunities on the power play that did not end up bearing any fruit. Both teams traded hit for hit as they skated their way into the 1st intermission. The Avalanche would ultimately get on the board in the second period after the puck took a favorable bounce off the skate of Artturi Lehkonen as he and Mavrik Bourque fought for position in front of the net. Colorado received yet another lucky bounce later on in the period as Nathan Mackinnon shot a puck through traffic to put the Avalanche ahead 2-0.
The Dallas Stars would eventually score their lone goal of the game when Roope Hintz would get in front of a Thomas Harley shot to put the game within one. It would be all Avalanche from then on, as they would go on to score three unanswered goals, one of which an empty netter. While losing game one is not ideal for any playoff team in the race to four wins. The race to four is a marathon, not a sprint. One positive the Stars they can take with them into the next game is that they were able to keep up with the Avalanche in a highly physical game. Another plus is that Dallas was able to get to net minder Mackenzie Blackwood. Regardless of the fact that Dallas scored one goal in the inaugural game of the series, the weight of winning after a shutout loss would be a bigger weight to carry.
The Stars will look to even up the series on Monday night, while the Avalanche will aim to take a 2-0 advantage. Puck drop is set for 8:30 CDT, and can be viewed on ESPN and Victory+.
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