Stanley Cup Playoffs: Stars Stun Avalanche in Overtime as Landeskog Returns After 670 Days
Our bet experts have prepared a brief outlook of how Tyler Seguin nets the winner as Dallas reclaims series lead and home-ice advantage in Game 3 thriller.
Tyler Seguin scored 5:31 into overtime to lift the Dallas Stars to a gritty 2–1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, giving Dallas a 2–1 series lead in their Western Conference quarterfinal and reclaiming home-ice advantage in the process.
The result also overshadowed a much-anticipated milestone – the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who played his first NHL game in nearly two years following four knee surgeries.
Game Recap: Stars Withstand Pressure, Strike Late
Dallas opened strong, outshooting Colorado 14–5 in the first period, but it was the Avalanche who broke through first. With both teams skating four-on-four, Valeri Nichushkin took a feed from Samuel Girard, circled the zone, and beat Jake Oettinger with a low finish at 8:09 of the opening frame.
Despite quality chances from the Stars, including a clean breakaway by Mikael Granlund in the second period, Colorado held the lead until midway through the third. After killing one penalty, the Avalanche conceded a second, and Dallas capitalized just 10 seconds into the man advantage when Jamie Benn tipped in a pass from Thomas Harley to level the score at 1–1.
Colorado had a golden opportunity to respond late in regulation with a four-minute power play, but Dallas’ penalty kill stood firm. That momentum carried into overtime, where Mason Marchment drove the puck behind the net and found Seguin cutting in front, who redirected the puck past Mackenzie Blackwood for his second OT winner of the series.
“You think about OT winners and how important they are,” said Seguin postgame. “But tonight it was more than the goal – it was the penalty kill, the structure, the commitment.”
Landeskog Returns After 670 Days
Gabriel Landeskog, who last played on June 26, 2022, the night Colorado lifted the Stanley Cup, made his emotional return after a grueling recovery that included cartilage replacement and nearly 21 months off the ice. He logged 13:16 of ice time, threw six hits, and skated on the top line.
“Well, I’d like to play better, but I feel pretty good,” Landeskog said. “Speed-wise, legs, physically, I felt good. Just timing, seeing things, executing – those will come.”
The crowd at Ball Arena erupted in a standing ovation when his name was announced during the pregame introductions.
Stars’ Key Contributors
- Tyler Seguin – Game-winning goal in overtime
- Jamie Benn – Power-play goal to tie the game in the third
- Jake Oettinger – Stopped 27 of 28 shots, including key saves during the Avalanche’s power play
“Huge relief,” Oettinger said of Benn’s goal. “Felt like we were knocking on the door for a while. We just needed one to go, and it came at the right time.”
What This Means for the Series
With the win, Dallas regains control of the series and home-ice advantage heading into Game 4. The Stars have now won two overtime games in the series and continue to out-execute Colorado in high-leverage moments.
Colorado, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly after failing to capitalize on a critical four-minute power play and seeing their captain’s return spoiled.
“That’s playoff hockey,” said Landeskog. “Short memory. We’ll look at the film, adjust, and be better Saturday.”
What’s Next
Game 4: Saturday night, Ball Arena, Denver
A win would put Dallas up 3–1 heading back home. For Colorado, it’s a must-win situation to avoid the brink of elimination. Check online ice hockey betting sites for the best odds.
