The Wraparound: Dallas Stars Improvements Before Playoffs The Dallas Stars have not had to face much adversity through the first few weeks of the new year, only dropping two of their last eight games. Dallas had a tough task ahead of them on Saturday as they took on their Central Division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche. In their road game matchup, Dallas would lean on their backup goaltender Casey DeSmith [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/d/desmica01/gamelog/2025]to hold back Colorado's potent offensive attack. Casey DeSmith has faced his fair share of formidable opponents thus far this season, but very few can hold a candle to how impressive the Avalanche's attack has been. Colorado came into Saturday's game ranking in the top five of the most goals scored [https://www.nhl.com/stars/standings/2025-01-17/division], and very much had intentions of improving on that mark. Dallas and Colorado would exchange goals in the first period, with the Stars' goal coming from Matt Duchene. Casey DeSmith would be unable to keep the game close in the second period as the Avalanche received support Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, and Jonathan Drouin [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-dal/2025/01/18/2024020724/boxscore] to push the score 4-1. The Stars would ultimately fall 6-3, with Casey DeSmith making 30 saves. Dallas will get a chance right away on Sunday [https://www.nhl.com/stars/schedule] to reset with the Detroit Red Wings coming to town.
