Game 5 loss to Dallas Stars would be devastating for Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs has lived up to the hype. At the onset of the postseason, many of us picked this series to be the best of the first-round lot.

Thus far, it’s got the makings of what could be an epic series, much like the old days between the Red Wings and Avalanche.

On Monday night, the entire season will come down to Game 5. Whoever takes the game will emerge in the driver’s set, setting themselves up for two shots at wrapping up the series. The loser will have their backs to the wall, staring at the abyss of questions during a long summer of pondering and disappointment.

That is why a Game 5 loss would be devastating for the Colorado Avalanche. While not fatal, a loss would put them in a tough spot. The Avs would have to win two games to pull out the series in seven. A win in Game 5, while forcing the Avs to win two games anyway, alleviates a great deal of pressure.

But just how important is this Game 5?

The Avalanche have faced the Stars six times before this year’s meeting. The Avs have lost four of the six series, with the most recent being last season. Last year, the Stars bounced Colorado in the second round in six games.

In 2020, the Stars and Avalanche met in the second round of the COVID playoffs, losing in seven games after coming back down from a 3-1 deficit.

The Avs must, ultimately win Game 5 to make life just a little easier for them. If there was ever a time for Colorado to get past Dallas, it’s this year.

Colorado Avalanche have momentum in series against Dallas Stars

Momentum is a crucial, but a fickle part of the NHL playoffs. It is crucial, but can swing at any moment. After Dallas got back-to-back heroic overtime wins, they fell flat in Game 4. Instead of walking away from Ball Arena with a 3-1 series lead, the Stars are now backed up against the wall, facing the prospect of going down 3-2 in the series.

But it wasn’t just that the Avs won Game 4. They won it in convincing fashion. The 4-0 blanking punctuated just how good this Colorado team is. They didn’t just sit back and hope to get a few lucky bounces.

Colorado matched Dallas’ intensity and physicality, allowing them to let Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabe Landeskog take over. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Blackwood did his part to cement the win. It was just Blackwood stealing the game. It was an all-around effort that allowed Colorado to take Game 4 and practically save their season.

After the final buzzer in Game 5, we will know if this Colorado team will be in a position to move on, or will have to claw their way back just to have a shot at forcing a Game 7.