The Colorado Avalanche may still sit atop the NHL standings with 98 points, but their grip is slipping. After a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, marking their third straight defeat, the gap between the two teams has shrunk to just two points.
And if this matchup is a preview of what’s to come, Nathan MacKinnon already has revenge on his mind.
Nathan MacKinnon Eyes Playoff Payback Against the Stars
The story of the night was Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger. He stopped 33 shots and turned aside all three attempts in the shootout, once again proving to be the difference maker against Colorado.
After the game, MacKinnon didn’t hide his frustration. “Yeah, you know, we’ve got to get to Ottinger more. I feel like all three games we’ve outshot them heavily, outplayed them,” MacKinnon said. “Yeah, we’ve just got to find a way to beat that guy.”
It’s been a familiar theme this season. Despite controlling play and consistently outshooting Dallas, Colorado has managed just one win in three meetings this season. The Avalanche outshot the Stars 34-18 in the latest matchup, holding similar advantages in their previous games: 29-21 in a March 6, 5-4 shootout win, and 39-22 in an October 5-4 shootout loss.
Each game has been tight, and in each case, Oettinger has stood tall.
With both teams battling near the top of the Western Conference, a postseason clash feels increasingly likely. If that happens, Oettinger’s ability to steal games could loom large, and MacKinnon knows it.
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At the same time, Oettinger and the Stars have their sights set even higher. “We want to win the division, win the Presidents’ Trophy. So we gained one point on them tonight, and it’s great, but still got a lot of work to do,” Oettinger said.
In Wednesday’s game, Colorado struck first when Cale Makar scored late in the opening period on the power play, finishing a feed from Nazem Kadri. Dallas responded in the second; Jason Robertson scored on a rebound.
After a scoreless overtime, Wyatt Johnston scored the only goal in the shootout to seal the win.
Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan made it clear who deserved the credit. “I thought ‘Oetts’ was the difference for us. He was by far our best player. He was the difference,” Gulutzan said. “And if I rewind to (the 5-4 shootout win in) October, he was the difference there, too. So I thought he’s fantastic tonight.”
For now, both teams refocus on the regular season, with Colorado facing Chicago on Friday and Dallas meeting Minnesota on Saturday.
