Avalanche, Stars Begin NHL Playoffs in Dallas

The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are set to face off in a highly anticipated first-round NHL playoff series, widely regarded as one of the most compelling matchups in this year's bracket. Despite Dallas finishing the regular season with more points and holding home-ice advantage, Colorado enters the series as a slight betting favorite, reflecting the teams' nearly identical records and contrasting styles. The Avalanche, known for their star power led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, have recently bolstered their depth, while the Stars are recognized for their roster depth and structured defensive play. Notably, Dallas addressed concerns about their lack of elite scorers by acquiring former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen in a midseason trade. Goaltending could be a deciding factor, with Dallas's Jake Oettinger considered a possible edge over Colorado's MacKenzie Blackwood, though the latter has performed well since joining the Avs. Both teams face questions about recent form and injuries, but the matchup remains finely balanced and is expected to be a hard-fought series.