Avalanche, Nuggets Begin Playoff Series Against Stars, Clippers

The Colorado Avalanche will begin their NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Dallas Stars on Saturday night in Dallas, in a rematch of last year's second-round matchup that saw the Stars eliminate the Avalanche 4-2. The full schedule for this best-of-seven series has not yet been announced, but Game 1 will be nationally televised. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets, after a late-season coaching shakeup, secured the No. 4 seed in the NBA playoffs and will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round with home-court advantage. Both the Avalanche and Nuggets are entering their respective playoffs with high expectations, each extending multi-year postseason streaks. Local media and Kroenke Sports and Entertainment leadership are highlighting these playoff runs as major events for Denver sports fans. The Avalanche's lineup remains uncertain regarding the possible return of their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, who has not played since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals.