There are many reasons why the Dallas Stars have the Colorado Avalanche’s number. While the games, and playoff series are always close, Dallas always inches out the advantage. They’ve met in the playoffs three times this far in the 2020s. Twice going the full seven games, and the other went past overtime in game six.
Since 2020, the Stars roster has seen it’s share of turnover. Guys who had an impact back in 2020 will be given an honorable mention. Today we’re going to be looking at the guys who’ve called the shots since 2024. Including somebody who earlier this year was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes by the Avalanche. Only to be traded to Dallas not long afterwards.
Spoiler alert: it’s Oettinger
With all of the firepower Colorado has at it’s disposal, Jake Oettinger has always been there to steal games. Even when he lets in a ‘soft’ goal, he makes timely saves needed and shuts the door when the chips are down.
Even when Oettinger has a save percentage below 900 against a team with as much fire power like Colorado does, especially in Denver, Oettinger can give up four goals and still be the best player of the game. His efforts against the Avalanche in the playoffs the last two years make him most responsible for Dallas triumphing over Colorado time after time.
The moose got loose
After the Avalanche couldn’t work things out with Mikko Rantanen under the salary cap,they decided to trade him to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas. After being a bad fit in ‘Canes head coach Rod Brind’amour’s system, they traded Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven. A move that benefited both the players, and teams.
In this case, this trade got the Stars to pull one out against the Avalanche in the playoffs this past season. While Oettinger gave the Stars every chance in net, Dallas still has to score. So Rantanen scored a hat trick, and set up Wyatt Johnston’ s series winning goal.
Give Dutchy his due
That second round matchup didn’t reach seven games like 2020 or round one of the following year. But it was as close to a seven game series as it gets. Overtime game six, former Avs center Matt Duchene emphatically called game.
One big question about Duchene’s second overtime goal is which was better, the goal itself or the celly. While Duchene might not remember the celebration of sending his old team packing, that sequence will never be lost on Stars fans.
Remembering 2020
Despite the turnover since the bubble playoffs, we’re not forgetting the heroes of that thrilling second round, seven game series. Starting off with JFK, aka Joel Kiviranta. Despite the irony of currently sitting up with Colorado, Kivi had a moment as a Star that’ll forever stand out in Texas hockey lore.
Photo credit: Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
We’re not going to not mention Stars alumni/icon in Anton Khudobin. After Ben Bishop got hurt, it was Dobby who was the Stars’ most valuable player on their Stanley Cup runner up run. In particular, making key saves to keep the Stars afloat in that second round against Colorado. Buying time for one of the most iconic goals in Stars’ franchise history.
Featured photo: denvergazette.com
Tags: #Iettinger #NHL #Playoffs #TexasHockey Rantanen
Categorized: Stars