Hockey fans, get ready for a treat.
The first-round series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche is a main event for any hockey enthusiast. These are two elite teams with serious Stanley Cup ambitions, facing off in a rematch of their 2024 second-round series.
Adding to the excitement is a compelling subplot that makes this series a must-watch, regardless of team allegiance.
In late January, the Avalanche surprised the hockey world by trading Mikko Rantanen, a pending unrestricted free agent, world-class winger, and key player from their 2022 championship team, to the Carolina Hurricanes. After a short stint there, Rantanen was traded again, landing in Dallas with a lucrative eight-year contract extension.
Now, Rantanen and the Stars are set to compete against his former Colorado team of ten years.
Beyond the Rantanen narrative, this matchup is rich with broader implications. The Dallas Stars, who defeated Colorado in six games last season, have consistently reached the final four in the past two seasons but haven`t reached the ultimate goal. The Colorado Avalanche, champions in 2022, have gone all-in this year, aiming for their second title.
Adding another layer, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, absent from professional hockey since their 2022 Cup victory three years prior due to injury, recently played in the AHL. Remarkably, indications suggest the 32-year-old Swede might rejoin the Avalanche lineup for the playoffs.
The fact that Landeskog`s potential return is only the second biggest story in this series highlights the intense drama surrounding it.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS
Dallas Stars: 1-1-1
Colorado Avalanche: 2-1-0
SERIES ANALYSIS
The Stars have been playing without Miro Heiskanen since late January, and General Manager Jim Nill has confirmed that the star defenseman will not be ready for Game 1 due to knee surgery. This is a significant setback for Dallas as they face a team featuring Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. While Heiskanen isn`t ruled out for the entire series, his absence at the start and immediate return to high-stakes playoff hockey is concerning. Heiskanen was dominant against Colorado last year, contributing four goals and eight points in Dallas`s six-game victory.
Tristan Blackwood