In perhaps one of the most stunning opening-round Game 7 results in recent memory, the Dallas Stars seized victory from the jaws of defeat.
They advanced to face the winner of the series between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues, thanks to a third-period comeback for the ages against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.
Colorado, who held a 2-0 lead early in the third period after Nathan MacKinnon’s seventh goal of the series, failed to protect their advantage and watched as ex-Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen registered a hat trick; Wyatt Johnston also scored for the Stars.
With their 4-2 victory, the Stars now advance and will play whomever ultimately emerges victorious in Sunday night’s Game 7, which will be played in Winnipeg; the Avalanche, on the other hand, must wait until the fall to hit the ice again.
Nathan MacKinnon Opens Up on Devastating Game 7 Loss to Dallas
MacKinnon, who openly expressed shock and disappointment in January when the Avalanche traded Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, tipped his hat to his former teammate.
“It’s pretty shocking,” MacKinnon said. “Felt like we were in total control and then Mikko, credit to him, he made some amazing plays. He was a difference maker and he took over. I don’t know. I’m in shock to be honest with you. Felt like we were in complete control of the game the whole time and just lost it.”
MacKinnon then admitted that it was the toughest loss of his career.
“Definitely,” he responded.
Mackinnon was arguably Colorado’s best player during the series with seven goals, which is the highest among all current NHL players in the 2025 postseason.
Avalanche Defenseman Cale Makar Is Equally Stunned
Makar, who had a relatively quiet series, will have plenty of time in the offseason to think about the horrible break he was given when his stick exploded on him in the third period on a one-timer attempt; moments later, he was whistled for a penalty.
“Just trying to defend. Didn’t think he was going to cut that close to me when I slid,” Makar said of the play. “I think I got the puck with my foot, but guess they called tripping anyways. Yeah, just can’t catch any luck. Of course the stick breaks there. So yeah, really tough.”
Meanwhile, Avalanche team captain Gabriel Landeskog – who returned to the lineup for the first time since lifting the Stanley Cup in June of 2022, was at a loss for words.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Landeskog said. “I don’t know where to start, to be honest. It sucks … It sucks.”