You know that feeling when a game feels completely over, and then, in the blink of an eye, everything flips? That was exactly the vibe at the American Airlines Center. For two periods, the Colorado Avalanche looked like they were going to suffocate the Dallas Stars and cruise into the next round. But hockey is a cruel game, and the Avs vs Stars Game 7 showdown on May 3, 2025, ended up being a masterclass in how quickly momentum can disintegrate.
It was a heartbreak for Denver fans. A celebration for Dallas. Basically, it was chaos.
The Game 7 Curse That Won't Quit
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. The Colorado Avalanche have now lost seven straight Game 7s dating back to 2002. That’s a heavy stat to carry. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably spent the morning wondering how a team with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar can’t seem to close the deal when the season is on the line.
MacKinnon did his part. Early in the third period, he snapped a shot home to give the Avs a 2-0 lead. At that point, the Stars were looking flat. They only had 10 shots through forty minutes of play. Mackenzie Blackwood, who was in net for the Avs, wasn’t even being tested. It felt like the Stars were content to just cycle the puck and hope for a miracle.
Then, Mikko Rantanen decided to remind everyone why Dallas traded for him in the first place.
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The Mikko Rantanen Revenge Tour
Honestly, you couldn’t write a script this dramatic. Rantanen, the former Avalanche superstar, was the guy who single-handedly dismantled his old team. After a relatively quiet start to the series, he absolutely exploded in the final frame.
The comeback started at 7:49 of the third. Rantanen ripped a laser past Blackwood to cut the lead to 2-1. You could feel the air leave the Avalanche bench. The Stars' power play, which had been struggling all night, finally woke up at the most critical moment.
Rantanen tied it up on a wrap-around goal at 13:46.
At 2-2, the American Airlines Center was deafening. The Avs looked rattled. Cale Makar, who is usually the coolest guy on the ice, took a tripping penalty against Roope Hintz that proved to be the nail in the coffin. On that ensuing power play, Wyatt Johnston—the kid who plays like a 10-year veteran—buried a shot from an acute angle to give Dallas the lead.
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Rantanen finished the night with an empty-netter to secure his hat trick and a 4-2 win.
Why the Avalanche Fell Apart
- Special Teams Disaster: The Avs went 0-for-3 on the power play. You can't do that in a Game 7.
- The Makar Penalty: It was a tough call, but it gave Dallas the opening they needed to take the lead.
- Third Period Fatigue: Colorado looked gassed. They were outshot 13-9 in the final frame, but the quality of those Dallas chances was way higher.
- Jake Oettinger's Wall: "Otter" didn't have to make a ton of saves (only 25), but he made the big ones when it was 2-0 to keep the Stars in striking distance.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Series
A lot of people are going to blame Mackenzie Blackwood for this loss. That's a mistake. Blackwood was actually solid for most of the series, especially considering the pressure of replacing a legend. The real issue was the lack of secondary scoring. When MacKinnon and Makar aren't the ones putting the puck in the net, the Avs' depth has been a question mark all year.
On the other side, Pete DeBoer remains the king of Game 7s. He is now 9-0 in his career when it comes to do-or-die games. That isn't luck. His teams stay remarkably calm when they fall behind, and that veteran composure was the difference-maker here.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For the Stars, they move on to the second round to face the winner of the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. They look like a team on a mission, especially with Rantanen finding his groove at exactly the right time.
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For the Avalanche, this is going to be a long summer of "what ifs." The front office has some serious questions to answer about the roster's depth and why the Game 7 hoodoo continues to haunt this core group. They have the talent, but as we saw last night, talent isn't always enough when the pressure reaches a boiling point.
If you want to keep track of the next round, make sure to check the updated NHL playoff bracket. The Stars have the home-ice advantage going forward, which might be the edge they need to make a deep run toward the Cup.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Rantanen/Johnston chemistry: These two are becoming the most dangerous duo in the West.
- Monitor the Avs' off-season: Expect some roster shuffling as they try to break the Game 7 curse.
- Betting Tip: Never bet against Pete DeBoer in an elimination game. Seriously.