Avalanche Force Game 7 with 7-4 Win Over Stars

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 7-4, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 7 in the series. Get the latest NHL The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 7-4, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 7 in the series. Get the latest NHL playoff updates.

The Colorado Avalanche forced a Game 7 after their thrilling 7-4 win over the Dallas Stars. 

Here's a breakdown of the game:

First Period

The Colorado Avalanche dominated the opening period, outshooting the Dallas Stars 19-10. Valeri Nichushkin scored the game's first goal when the puck bounced off Ilya Lyubushkin's skate and into the net, giving the Avalanche a 1-0 lead. Artturi Lehkonen later extended the lead to 2-0 with his third playoff goal, jumping on a rebound that bounced off Jake Oettinger's stick with just under two minutes left in the period.

Key Moments

• Nichushkin's Goal: The Russian winger's goal showcased the Avalanche's well-designed play, starting with Cale Makar getting the play started, followed by Devon Toews and Brock Nelson setting up Nichushkin for the shot.
• Physical Play: Wyatt Johnston delivered a vicious hit on Parker Kelly, but Kelly quickly bounced back to continue playing.

Period Summary

The Avalanche led 2-0 at the end of the first period, setting the tone for a high-intensity game that would go on to decide the series' fate.

2nd Period

The period began with a turning point as Brock Nelson's tripping penalty gave the Stars a power play opportunity. Roope Hintz capitalized on the man advantage, scoring his third playoff goal just 23 seconds into the power play to cut the Avalanche's lead to one. The momentum shifted further in Dallas' favor when Mikael Granlund tied the game 2-2 less than three minutes later. However, Martin Necas quickly restored the Avalanche's lead, scoring just 53 seconds after Granlund's goal to put Colorado ahead 3-2.

THOSE PESKY AVS!!#GoAvsGo | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/RiDqKBHrsw

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 2, 2025

Roope Hintz scored his second goal of the game, tying the score 3-3 almost eight minutes into the period. The scoring frenzy continued as Mikko Rantanen netted the next goal, but it seems there's a mix-up - if Rantanen scored, it would be for the Avalanche, not the Stars, and it would give the Avalanche a 5-3 lead, not the other way around. Assuming the Avalanche scored, the sequence would be: Hintz ties it 3-3, then Rantanen scores to put the Avalanche up 4-3 or possibly 5-3 if another goal occurred in between or after the 3-3 score.

The Avalanche gained a man advantage after Thomas Harley's high-sticking penalty on Nelson, entering the second intermission with 57 seconds remaining on the power play. At this point, Colorado outshot Dallas 35-19 and out-hit them 31-17, setting the stage for a potential scoring opportunity. The trend in the game suggests that capitalizing on power plays could be crucial in determining the outcome.

3rd Period

The Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin tied the game 4-4 with his second goal of the game six minutes into the third period. The Avs then took the lead after an own goal was credited to Nathan MacKinnon, making it 5-4 Colorado. The Avalanche sealed the win with empty-net goals from Josh Manson and Cale Makar, securing a 7-4 victory. Colorado outshot Dallas 48-26 and out-hit them 45-19, forcing a deciding Game 7 in Dallas.