The Avalanche have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Avs fell to the Stars, 4-2, on Saturday in Game 7 of their first-round series at American Airlines Center. Dallas awaits the winner of the Jets-Blues series in the second round.

Here are three takeaways from a deflating Avs exit from the postseason.

Third-period meltdown

Stars forward Mikko Rantanen tied the game with 6:14 left in regulation after scoring consecutive third-period goals. He buried a wrister from the point through traffic, and on the power play, a Rantanen wraparound bounced off the skate of defenseman Sam Girard and into the net.

Dallas later regained the lead after a holding penalty against forward Jack Drury. The Stars capitalized on the power play when forward Wyatt Johnston made a tight angle shot on a cross-crease feed from ex-Avs forward Matt Duchene. Rantanen added an empty-net goal for the hat trick.

Just a heartbreaking way for Colorado to get bounced from the playoffs.

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Bednar vs. DeBoer

Pete DeBoer improved his career record in Game 7s to 9-0. Meanwhile, Bednar has never won a Game 7 in four tries with the Avalanche.

Bednar is currently the second longest-tenured head coach in the NHL with nine seasons (and counting) for the Avalanche. He trails only Jon Cooper (13 seasons) for the most longevity with a current NHL team. Yet Bednar might be on the hot seat after another disappointing playoff finish.

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Manson delivers

Defenseman Josh Manson finished the regular season with just one goal scored over 48 games played. He notched one of the team’s biggest goals of the playoffs in Game 7. Manson delivered on a short-handed chance in the second period to lead 1-0.

It happened when forward Logan O’Connor capitalized on a Stars turnover in the Avs’ zone. O’Connor streaked down the boards and delivered a centering pass to Manson. His shot bounced off the post and behind Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger. It shifted momentum to Colorado.

Josh Manson gets the scoring started in Game 7! @Avalanche | #GoAvsGo | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/KJufgask5g

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 4, 2025