Stars Face Avalanche in Crucial Central Division Showdown

DENVER, Colo. — The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche will clash in a pivotal Central Division matchup Saturday afternoon at Ball Arena, with both teams vying for playoff positioning in a tightly contested race.

The Stars (28-15-1) enter the game third in the Central Division with 57 points, while the Avalanche (27-18-1) sit just two points behind in fourth place. Dallas has won eight of its last 10 games, including a 5-3 victory over Colorado in November. The Avalanche, however, are looking to rebound after blowing a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

“It doesn’t get any easier,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “There’s no rest in this league, you’ve got to be ready for the next one.”

Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL with 72 points, will be a focal point for the Stars’ defense. MacKinnon has 43 points in 42 career games against Dallas, including 41 points in 23 home games this season. “He’s a great player, and we know we have to be at our best to contain him,” said Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

Dallas will rely on its top scorers, including Tyler Seguin (26-23—49) and Jamie Benn (15-34—49), to counter Colorado’s offensive firepower. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, who has a 5-3-1 record against the Avalanche with a .914 save percentage, will also play a key role. “It’s always a great building to play in,” Oettinger said. “They’re a great team, and we’re going to be battling with them.”

The game marks the first meeting between the teams since last season’s playoffs, when Dallas defeated Colorado in a dramatic double-overtime Game 6. “We haven’t seen them for a while, and it’s always a good matchup,” said Stars forward Wyatt Johnston. “I always like when the crowd is going, even though it’s on the road.”

With four Central Division teams among the top 11 in points percentage, every game carries significant weight. “The positioning can definitely change in the second half of the season, and that means every point is huge,” DeBoer added.

Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT, with the game broadcast on Altitude, Altitude+, Victory+, and ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers.