Instant reaction from the Avalanche’s 7-4 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series.
1. Momentum swings galore: After the Avs got run out of the American Airlines Center earlier this week in a 6-2 defeat that put their season on the brink — a game in which the Stars scored their fastest goal in playoff history just nine seconds into the game — Colorado came out on fire on Thursday. The Avs scored twice in a dominant opening period, first when Valeri Nichushkin’s shot deflected off the skate of Stars defender Ilya Lyubushkin and into the net. Then, Cale Makar’s duffed slapshot was put home by a waiting Artturi Lehkonen. Ball Arena was rockin’ — until it wasn’t, as the Stars scored four second-period goals to take command of the game. Nichushkin’s second goal of the game on a sweet rebound tied it 4-4 in the third, before Dallas delivered the knockout blow in the third… to itself.
2. Mikko’s revenge: Avs fans have had a short memory for Mikko Rantanen this series, all but forgetting about the Moose’s 10 seasons with Colorado and his pivotal role in a Stanley Cup win. Rantanen’s made the Avs pay for trading him away to Carolina in January. He started slow in this series, but found his groove when it matters most and now has eight points in the series. That included a goal and two assists in Dallas’ romp in Game 5, then the go-ahead goal late in the second period on Thursday. The puck was tied up in a scrum on the boards, but then Roope Hintz zipped a pass to a streaking Rantanen down the center of the ice. Rantanen easily wristed it home, and the boos immediately rained down upon the Finnish forward. He also had three assists on the night for Dallas’ quick-strike offense. Without him, it would’ve been a blowout.
3. Defensive question marks: The Avs’ D and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood were sketchy for a second straight game. Despite Colorado outshooting Dallas by a wide margin all three periods — the final tally ended up being 48-26 — the Stars keep finding their way back into the game. The majority of their goals came off clean looks at the net, as the Stars consistently found themselves with free or odd-man rushes at the net. In Game 7, can the Colorado defense find a way to settle in and prevent another shootout? Meanwhile, it was the Dallas defense that delivered the ultimate letdown midway through the third to put Colorado up 5-4. Nathan MacKinnon got credit for an unassisted goal, but it was really self-sabotage by the Stars. Sam Steel tried to clear the puck, but it hit off Colin Blackwell’s shoulder and went in the top right shelf, causing goalie Jake Oettinger to look at them both in disbelief. The Avs added two empty netters by Josh Manson and Cale Makar in the last 1:16. Game 7, here we come.
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