The Colorado Avalanche face a critical juncture in their 2024-25 season as they prepare for an elimination game against the Dallas Stars. Stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are up for the Ted Lindsay Award, marking a significant achievement as the first teammates to be finalists since 2001. However, the Avalanche are haunted by past postseason exits at home, having lost critical elimination games at Ball Arena for two consecutive years. Makar expresses confidence in the team’s ability to respond, while the franchise's core players, combined with newcomers, believe they can push for 14 more wins to capture the Stanley Cup. Head Coach Jared Bednar emphasizes the need for instinctual, confident play as they aim to avoid another first-round exit.