What impressive record does Pete DeBoer hold in Game 7s as an NHL coach? How does Jared Bednar’s performance in Game 7s compare to DeBoer’s? In what significant ways have the Dallas Stars historically fared against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7s? What recent struggles has Colorado faced in the playoffs, particularly in terms of Game 7 outcomes? Which players are currently sidelined for the Stars, and how might that affect their performance?
Pete DeBoer has never lost a Game 7 as an NHL coach, while Jared Bednar has never won one. They will be on opposite benches when the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche play what seems like the only fitting end for their first-round series in this year’s NHL playoffs — a Game 7 on Saturday night. “Honestly, Jared Bednar and I are not going to have a big impact on this game,” DeBoer said. “The players are going to decide that. Both teams know each other. It’s who goes out and executes and gets big games from the right guys.” Still, there are a lot of different records that align heavily toward the Stars, who will be at home for a Game 7 for the third season in a row.
DeBoer is 8-0 in Game 7s with four different teams, including each of the past two postseasons since getting to Dallas and reaching the Western Conference Final both times. No other coach has won more Game 7s, with Darryl Sutter 8-3 in them. Bednar is 0-3 in Game 7s, all with the Avalanche, who have lost six in a row since 2002. He is also 0-3 overall in playoff series against DeBoer, including a seven-game loss in the second round to San Jose in 2019. The Stars are 3-0 against Colorado in Game 7s, and reached the Stanley Cup Finals after each of those. The two teams went seven games in the Western Conference Final in both 1999 and 2000. Then in the second round of the pandemic-impacted 2020 playoffs inside the Canadian bubble, the deciding game was tied four times before then-Stars rookie and current Avalanche forward completed a hat trick with an overtime goal that gave Dallas a 5-4 win.
This will be the 199th time a Game 7 has happened in the NHL playoffs, and the first this season. “Personally not surprised it’s going to Game 7,” said Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen, who has been traded twice since being with the Avs in the playoffs the past seven seasons, including their 2022 Stanley Cup title. “It’s two really good teams, and it’s good for the hockey world to see this series.” Colorado avoided elimination with a 7-4 win in Game 6, getting some fortunate and fluky bounces at home Thursday night.
This is the fourth year in a row for Dallas to be in a Game 7, with Jake Oettinger in net for all of them. The 26-year-old goalie has a .956 save percentage (108 of 113) and 1.54 goals against average the previous three, with the only loss coming in a first-round series at top-seeded Calgary in 2022 when he had 64 saves before an overtime goal by the late Johnny Gaudreau. “We’ve all been there before,” Oettinger said. “We’ve won our last two Game 7s, we all know what we need to do to beat these guys.”
Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is in his first playoff series, and has a .899 save percentage while allowing 16 goals, two fewer than Oettinger. Still, DeBoer was playing the underdog card soon after Game 6. “No one gives us a chance to win this series and here we are, with one game at home to advance,” DeBoer said. Bednar wasn’t exactly buying it from a team that finished ahead of them in the Central Division and has home-ice advantage. The Stars are missing two key players in defenseman Miro Heiskanen and forward Jason Robertson, both sidelined with lower-body injuries. “Hey, you build a narrative for your team to grab onto,” Bednar said. “This is a deep team. But we have our own narrative, too. We feel like we’re a team that can win, but you’ve got to go prove it.”
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
When/Where to Watch: Game 7, Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Series: Tied 3-3.
Valeri Nichushkin was slamming his stick in frustration at practice before Game 6. His sticks received the message as the Russian forward scored two goals, and he wasn’t the only player to break out of a scoring funk in that elimination game for the Avalanche. Defenseman Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, while Martin Necas added his first goal of the series. Brock Nelson had two assists. “That’s the theme of our team. You can’t just … you can’t go away,” Bednar said. “You just have to keep chipping away and battling to get better. Keep grinding and finding ways to get those looks that you need.”
Makar seems to raise his game when the stakes are high. He’s got four goals and eight assists over 11 games when the Avalanche are facing elimination. “He’s going to get real hot here,” Bednar said. Rantanen and Roope Hintz led a four-goal burst by Dallas in the second period of Game 6. Rantanen (one goal, three assists) and Hintz (two goals, two assists) became the first set of teammates in league history to each notch four points in a playoff period. “Those periods obviously happen pretty rarely, but (we) try to do it as often as we can,” Rantanen said. “I think it was execution, and everybody wanted the puck, and we were just passing it around pretty well.”
Dramatic Showdown: Stars vs. Avalanche in a Game 7
The National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs are a crucible of intensity, where every game becomes a war of wills. At the center of this charged atmosphere, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche have built a narrative filled with anticipation, drama, and the sheer unpredictability that defines postseason hockey. As they faced off in a decisive Game 7, the stakes could not have been higher. Both teams were primed for a clash that not only demanded skill and endurance but also mental toughness and strategic acumen.
The Build-Up
Game 7 of an NHL playoff series is the culmination of a long and arduous quest for glory. Each team’s journey has been fraught with challenges, from difficult matchups to pivotal injuries. The Stars and Avalanche advanced through a tough series, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses along the way. For the Stars, depth scoring and a strong goaltending performance became their hallmarks. Meanwhile, the Avalanche relied heavily on their star-studded roster, including skilled forwards and a solid defensive core.
As the series progressed, momentum swung like a pendulum, creating a compelling narrative of resilience and determination. The tight games filled with overtime thrills and nail-biting finishes only added to the drama.
Game 7: A Clash of Titans
With the proverbial "winner takes all" mentality, Game 7 is always an electrifying experience. The pre-game atmosphere was electric, filled with fervent fans clad in team colors, chants resonating throughout the arena, creating a near-palpable energy of excitement and anxiety. Expectations ran high, as tales of past clutch performances and heartbreaking eliminations circled among the players and fans alike.
The first period served as a microcosm of the series itself: fast-paced action, tight checking, and amazing saves from both goalies that left fans on the edge of their seats. The Stars began strong, exhibiting an aggressive forecheck that stifled the Avalanche’s ability to generate speed and flow. Yet, as the minutes ticked away, the Avalanche found ways to gain traction, utilizing their speed and skill to launch offensive attacks.
In an unexpected twist, the game’s opening goal came from a defensive player. A booming slap shot from the blue line found its way past a scrambling goaltender, igniting celebrations among Stars fans. The Avalanche responded swiftly, showing their resilience as they countered with a barrage of shots that tested the Stars’ netminder.
Strategy and Adaptability
As the game progressed, tactical adjustments became evident. The Stars concentrated on physicality, attempting to wear down the Avalanche’s stars by delivering hard hits. Meanwhile, Colorado relied on their speed and skill, attempting to maneuver through the Stars’ defensive structure. Each team dug deep into their playbooks, utilizing mismatches and exploiting defensive lapses to create scoring opportunities.
Coaching decisions played a pivotal role in this high-stakes showdown. The tendency to go with a heavier line to protect leads contrasted with playing faster units to chase the game. Both coaches understood that small mistakes or decision-making errors could be magnified in such an intense environment, making every call crucial.
The Clutch Factor
No Game 7 is complete without moments of heroism and agony. As the clock wound down, the tension reached a fever pitch. With each passing minute, fans could feel the weight of history pressing down on the players. In this cauldron of emotions, the game entered the final frame knotted at a stalemate.
With dwindling time on the clock, the Stars executed a flawless breakout play, leading to a 2-on-1 situation that could tilt the game in their favor. In an incredible display of awareness and skill, the forward opted for a pass rather than a shot, threading the needle to set up a teammate who buried the puck into the back of the net. The eruption of joy from the Stars’ fans was countered by a hush among Avalanche supporters, who suddenly found themselves at a critical juncture.
As the Avalanche pressed for an equalizer, drama unfolded in the final minutes. The frantic energy on the ice was palpable, with players living on the edge as the game hung in the balance. Shots rang off the post, and glorious opportunities slipped away as both goaltenders stood on their heads to deny potential goals.
Resolution and Reflection
When the final buzzer rang, it marked the end of an epic battle but was just the beginning of what would be a memorable journey for the victors. The players embraced each other, celebrating hard-fought victory, while the defeated Avalanche players consoled one another in the midst of raw emotion.
Game 7 wasn’t just another hockey match—it was a testament to the spirit of competition, encapsulating the highs and lows that come with it. These games are what the NHL playoffs are built on, where legends are born and memories forged on the ice.
After all, as each empty locker in the Avalanche dressing room illustrated, in this league, anything can happen. The only thing certain is that every Game 7, like the epic clash between the Stars and Avalanche, is destined to deliver a spectacle of passion and intensity. Each season, fans can only hope for the next thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry afresh.
The NHL playoffs have brought us to an exhilarating Game 7 between the Stars and the Avalanche, a climax that fans have eagerly anticipated. This showdown represents the culmination of an intense series, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. As players prepare for the decisive match, the atmosphere is electric, laden with the weight of expectations and the promise of glory.
Each team has history on the line, vying not just for victory, but also for the chance to advance further in the playoffs. Both squads have faced challenges and made incredible comebacks, marking this series as one to remember. Now, as the final moments approach, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Excitement builds as fans rally behind their teams, knowing this game could redefine their season. The anticipation for a thrilling performance is palpable, and every play will be scrutinized. Ultimately, this Game 7 promises to be a defining moment in the journey of the Stars and the Avalanche.