The Colorado Avalanche snapped Dallas Stars’ impressive 10-game winning streak with a dramatic 5-4 shootout victory Friday night. Valeri Nichushkin tied the game with just 15 seconds remaining in regulation before helping secure the win in the shootout.
The Colorado Avalanche delivered a stunning blow to the Dallas Stars’ remarkable 10-game winning streak, claiming a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory on Friday night in what proved to be a showcase between the NHL’s top two teams.
Valeri Nichushkin emerged as the evening’s standout performer, netting the game-tying goal with merely 15 seconds remaining in regulation before contributing to Colorado’s shootout triumph. Martin Necas, who recorded one goal and three assists during regular play, delivered the decisive shootout goal past Jake Oettinger to seal the victory.
Nathan MacKinnon continued his exceptional season, tallying his league-best 42nd goal along with two assists, while Cale Makar contributed a goal and an assist to Colorado’s offensive effort.
The Avalanche received outstanding goaltending from Scott Wedgewood in relief duty, as he turned away 10 shots plus two more in the shootout to preserve Colorado’s fourth consecutive victory. Wedgewood entered the game early in the second period after Mackenzie Blackwood managed just seven saves on 11 attempts before his departure.
Dallas received strong offensive contributions from Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Justin Hryckowian, each recording a goal and assist combination. Jamie Benn also found the net for the Stars, while Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque each registered two assists.
Jake Oettinger stopped 25 shots for Dallas, though his personal eight-game winning streak came to an end with the defeat.
This highly anticipated clash between the league’s premier teams delivered the playoff-intensity atmosphere many expected, culminating in the same 5-4 scoreline as their October 11 meeting in Denver, though with Colorado emerging victorious this time.
Makar opened the scoring just 3:33 into the contest with his 19th goal of the campaign on the power play, but Heiskanen responded with a man-advantage goal of his own less than four minutes later, assisted by Robertson and Johnston.
The same trio combined again with 9:21 remaining in the opening period when Johnston’s 34th goal of the season put Dallas ahead 2-1.
The Stars extended their advantage to 3-1 with 3:53 left in the first period following a communication breakdown between Blackwood and defenseman Devon Toews behind Colorado’s net, leading to a turnover that Bourque capitalized on by setting up Hryckowian’s goal.
MacKinnon narrowed the gap to 3-2 with under two seconds remaining in the period, giving Colorado its second power-play goal of the night.
Dallas restored its two-goal cushion early in the second period when Benn scored at the 18:08 mark, a goal that prompted Colorado to replace Blackwood with Wedgewood.
Necas brought the Avalanche back within one goal with 11:54 left in the middle frame, with Gabriel Landeskog earning an assist for his 600th career point.
Nichushkin nearly scored with just over three minutes remaining when his shot struck both posts, but the Russian forward capitalized on his next opportunity, scoring his 13th goal of the season after Colorado pulled Wedgewood for an extra attacker with 1:45 left on the clock.
The game marked the return of Roope Hintz, who had been sidelined since the Olympic break due to illness, though the Dallas forward was forced to leave with 4:22 remaining in the second period after suffering what appeared to be a lower-body injury.