5/3/25 Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs Game Recap

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (GAME 7)

The Dallas Stars won Game 7 and advanced to the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after winning their first round series against the Colorado Avalanche. This game took place at American Airlines Center and ended with a final score of 4-2 in the Stars’ favor.

Despite both teams having multiple scoring opportunities and man-advantages, the first period remained scoreless after the impressive goaltending performances from Stars’ #29 Jake Oettinger and Avs’ #39 Mackenzie Blackwood. 

The Avs found momentum in the latter half of the second period after #42 Josh Manson scored a shorthanded goal which helped put the team up 1-0. The Avs’ penalty kill unit and stellar goaltending from #39 Blackwood during the remainder of this period helped them to maintain their 1-0 lead going into the third period of the game. 

Due to a Stars delayed penalty, #29 Nathan MacKinnon extended the Avs’ lead 2-0 after he came off the bench and scored on the man-advantage. The Stars persevered and answered back quickly with two goals scored by #96 Mikko Rantanen which tied the game (2-2). #96 Rantanen’s first goal was a wrist shot that successfully made it past #39 Blackwood to make it a one-goal game. His second goal was a game-tying power play goal which was banked off Avs #49 Samuel Girard’s skate and into the back of the net (2-2). #53 Wyatt Johnston scored the power play goal which put the Stars up 3-2 late in the third period. The Stars were able to punch their ticket into the second round of the playoffs when #96 Rantanen scored an empty net goal with three seconds left in regulation. #96 Rantanen’s hat-trick and the strong goaltending performance by #29 Oettinger in the third period greatly contributed to the Stars' 4-2 win.  

The standout players

Dallas Stars

• Forward: #96 Mikko Rantanen recorded his first hat-trick of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and ended Game 7 with four points (3G, 1A)

• Goaltender: #29 Jake Oettinger had a save percentage of 0.926% after he saved 25 out of 27 shots on goal

Colorado Avalanche 

• Forward: #29 Nathan MacKinnon scored one of the Avs goals of this game

• Defensemen: #42 Josh Manson scored one of the Avs goals of this game

• Goaltender:  #39 Mackenzie Blackwood had a save percentage of 0.833% after he saved 15 out of 18 shots on goal

Stats

• The Avs outshot the Stars (27 SOG vs. 19 SOG)

• The Avs delivered more hits than the Stars (27 hits vs. 25 hits)

• The Avs won more faceoffs than the Stars (51.9% vs 48.1%) 

• The Stars had a higher power play success rate than the Avs (0 PP% vs. 50 PP%)

SUMMARY: Despite the Avs playing a more physical game and finding more success in regards to puck possession and faceoff wins, the Stars’ goaltending and ability to capitalize on their scoring chances helped them to win this game.

The Stars won the series 4-3 in round one of the playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche

Who do you think the Stars are going to play against the Second Round?

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Come back for the next 2025 Stanley Cup Round Two Western Conference game recap!