Back at the beginning of the night, the Stars were unable to get much offense going on a first-period power play, but the penalty kill survived Jamie Benn's double minor for high-sticking Valeri Nichushkin to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

Since the Stanley Cup win in 2022, the Avalanche have won just one playoff series and lost two Game 7s in the process. With MacKinnon and Cale Makar at the height of their primes, Colorado has to find a way to get back over the playoff hump for another deep run.