The Colorado Avalanche won Game 6 of their first-round series with the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, forcing Game 7 on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center.
The Avalanche scored seven times on Dallas, who led the game 4-3 entering the third period. However, the Avs tallied four unanswered goals to take home the win and force a winner-take-all matchup.
Valeri Nichushkin scored twice to lift the Avalanche, getting the crucial game-tying goal at the 6:02 mark of the third period.
Here’s a look at the goal:
The goal opened the floodgates as the Avs outshot the Stars 13-7 in the final frame. All told, the Avalanche had a 48-26 advantage in the shot column.
But where things truly fell apart was the go-ahead goal credited to Nathan MacKinnon. The absurd tally was a nod from the hockey gods that smiled upon Colorado.
Let’s look at the goal:
The puck pinballed off Stars’ forward Colin Blackwell and hit Jake Oettinger’s glove before landing in the back of the net.
The astonished Stars could not believe the turn of events. The Avalanche continued pouring on the pressure with the Stars unable to get back into the game.
Josh Manson and Cale Makar added empty-netters, with Makar getting his first of the postseason, to ice the win.
The gritty performance by Colorado is a testament to the team’s resilience. The win also swings the momentum back in Colorado’s favor heading into Game 7.
Colorado Avalanche overwhelmed Stars in Game 6
The Avalanche passed the eye test in Game 6, playing some of the most desperate hockey anyone has put forth this postseason.
The Avalanche came out flying out of the gate, keeping the Stars on their heels the entire night. Now, it should be pointed out that the Avalanche took their foot off the gas in the second period.
Before realizing it, Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen took the game over. Both Hintz and Rantanen ended the game with four points apiece. Hintz scored twice in the second period while adding two helpers.
Mikko Rantanen, meanwhile, finally broke through against his former teammates, notching a goal and three assists.
Beyond Hintz and Rantanen, the Stars were unable to muster any offense, with Mikael Grandlund getting the other goal for Dallas.
It’s no surprise that this series has gone the distance as both Dallas and Colorado are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Regardless of who wins on Saturday night, it will be a shame to see one of the best teams in the league get an early start to their summer.