The Colorado Avalanche's dreams of playoff glory came crashing down after a shocking Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Stars, ending their season sooner than expected. Nathan MacKinnon expressed disbelief, calling it the most surprising loss of his career. Despite missing key players, the Avs dominated in five-on-five play but faltered on special teams, finishing with a dismal 3 for 24 on power plays throughout the series, including critical missed opportunities in overtime.

Gabe Landeskog, the team captain, lamented the heartbreak of the loss, indicating that they had played hard yet could not seal the deal. The Avalanche struggled defensively, allowing multiple power-play goals, which ultimately proved costly. Coach Jared Bednar highlighted the importance of special teams in their defeat, indicating that adjustments were needed but were not executed effectively.