Dallas Stars’ Game 6 Loss to Colorado Avalanche
DENVER — When you make 41 saves, watch your team battle from down 2-0 in a historic four-goal second period, and the game-winning goal is scored the way it was Thursday night, there was only one reaction that Jake Oettinger could have.
“You just laugh,” he said. “Can’t make it up.”
Unfortunate Bounces
The Stars were approaching their fourth victory in their first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 in Denver when Colorado found the game-tying goal with under 14 minutes remaining. Just three minutes later, in an attempt to clear the puck, Stars forward Sam Steel bounced it off his teammate Colin Blackwell, and it floated over Oettinger’s glove and in.
Nathan MacKinnon was credited with the goal, though it was a true own-goal by the Stars. That was the decider in a 7-4 loss padded by a few empty netters.
Bad Bounces All Game
The Stars were plagued by bad bounces all game, and they ultimately delivered the final blow in the third period. Colorado’s first goal scored by Valeri Nichushkin went in off Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin’s skate. Its second came after Cale Makar fanned on a shot, and Artturi Lehkonen was lucky to be in the right place to punch it in.
But down 2-0 and 19-10 in shots at the end of the first period, Oettinger gave his team a chance to come back. He faced close to 50 shots, including 16 in the second period where he allowed just one goal as his teammates scored four, taking over the lead entering the final frame.
Puck Luck
But “puck luck,” as they call it, ultimately wasn’t on Dallas’ side.
Luck may play a factor in a playoff series, but it’s rarely the decider. Teams can create their own luck, and for much of Thursday’s game, the Stars didn’t do that.
Colorado dominated the first period and was rewarded because of it. The Avalanche had a 10-1 advantage in high-danger scoring chances in the first 20 minutes alone. If they didn’t score off some lucky bounces, they probably would’ve in another fashion.
Resilience of the Stars
But when it was clear that luck — and the overall momentum of the game — wasn’t in Dallas’ favor in the first period, the Stars didn’t roll over and turn their attention to the next game, like they did the last time they were at Ball Arena in a crushing defeat in Game 4.
The Stars rallied, brought themselves right back into the game, and it was ultimately an incredibly unfortunate bounce that was necessary to take them out of it.
That response is the same one the Stars need in this latest case of “puck luck.” The Stars have faced bad luck all season from uncommon facial injuries to unfortunate scheduling, but have persevered.
Looking Ahead to Game 7
In his three years in Dallas, DeBoer has touted the resilience of his group, and particularly his goaltender.
So, the reaction of laughing off that goal is exactly what the Stars should want from Oettinger less than 48 hours away from the next puck drop.
His response will need to be a combination of having a short memory and a long one, drawing on his last two home Game 7 experiences, where luck was very much on his side.
“I think we should just pull from the past,” Oettinger said. “For me, personally, I’m just going to try to have fun and have no regrets and play as well as I can and see what happens. That’s all you can do and try to soak the moment in and have fun.
“Just take the good things I did tonight, play my game and play well and Saturday will be a good result.”
The Stars will take on the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night looking to keep Pete DeBoer’s perfect Game 7 record intact.
Dallas is facing off with a familiar Central Division foe in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“We’ve got to go out and show that, like we have all series, we’re bigger than two players,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said.
Conclusion
The Dallas Stars are facing a tough challenge in their playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche. Despite their best efforts, they have been plagued by bad bounces and unfortunate luck. However, the team has shown resilience and determination, and they are looking to bounce back in Game 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of Game 6 between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche?
A: The final score was 7-4 in
