The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are set for a crucial battle in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on April 26, 2025, with Dallas currently holding a 2-1 edge and looking to tighten their grip on the series at Ball Arena in Denver. After splitting the first two games, the Stars made a major statement in Game 3 with a convincing 4-1 victory that showcased their ability to control pace, capitalize on mistakes, and limit the Avalanche’s dynamic offensive threats. Dallas’ defensive structure has been a hallmark of their success thus far, with goaltender Jake Oettinger playing a critical role, posting a .930 save percentage and standing tall under Colorado’s bursts of pressure. Led by a steady combination of veterans like Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, and young stars like Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, the Stars have found ways to consistently apply pressure and finish their chances, taking advantage of Colorado’s defensive breakdowns and slower zone exits. Their penalty kill has been sharp, and their forecheck has disrupted the Avalanche’s transition game, which is typically one of Colorado’s most dangerous weapons. The Avalanche, meanwhile, find themselves facing a pivotal moment in the series, needing a bounce-back performance to avoid going down 3-1 against an opponent that is proving extremely difficult to break down at even strength. Colorado’s biggest challenge in this series has been secondary scoring and defensive consistency. While Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have generated opportunities, the rest of the lineup has not consistently supported them, leaving the Avalanche vulnerable when their top players are neutralized. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has faced a high volume of high-danger chances and has struggled at times to contain rebounds and manage traffic in front, putting additional strain on a defense corps that has been too easily stretched by Dallas’ quick puck movement.

The potential return of Gabriel Landeskog looms large; his presence would inject grit, leadership, and a scoring threat that could balance out Colorado’s forward groups and create matchup problems for Dallas. But beyond individual returns, the Avalanche need to play a more disciplined game, reduce turnovers, and re-establish their speed through the neutral zone if they hope to put Dallas on its heels. Special teams will also be critical, as Colorado’s power play has yet to significantly impact the series, while their penalty kill has struggled against Dallas’ precise puck movement. Game 4 offers the Avalanche a chance to recalibrate and reassert themselves on home ice—but it will require a level of urgency and defensive commitment that has not consistently been present in the series thus far. For the Stars, the formula heading into Game 4 remains simple: stick to the disciplined, structured hockey that has carried them through the regular season and the first three games of the series. They’ve successfully minimized Colorado’s rush chances, managed the puck smartly in their own end, and made life difficult for the Avalanche defense with aggressive cycles and pressure off the boards. Oettinger’s calm presence has allowed Dallas’ skaters to play confidently, knowing that mistakes won’t necessarily end up in the back of the net. Offensively, the Stars have received contributions throughout the lineup, with their depth players stepping up at key moments, taking the pressure off their top scorers, and keeping Colorado’s defense spread thin. Winning Game 4 would give Dallas a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to American Airlines Center and put them on the brink of advancing in what was expected to be one of the tighter Western Conference matchups. If the Stars stay the course, remain disciplined, and continue frustrating the Avalanche’s stars, they’ll position themselves perfectly to close out the series in front of their home crowd.