DENVER, Colo. (Oct 11, 2025)  — The Dallas Stars make their long-awaited return to the Mile High City on Saturday night for a marquee early-season matchup against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena — their first meeting since Dallas sent Colorado home in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The rematch carries all the ingredients of a classic: two early Western Conference contenders, plenty of recent history, and a simmering rivalry reignited just one week into the 2025–26 NHL campaign.

Puck drop is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+/ALT/KTVT-TV/Victory+, with radio coverage on The Ticket 96.7 FM / 1310 AM in Dallas and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM / 950 AM in Denver.

Stars Aim to Keep Momentum Rolling

The Stars (1-0-0, 2 pts) opened their season with a wild 5–4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, holding off a furious third-period rally. Mikko Rantanen — facing his former club for the first time since signing with Dallas in the offseason — was the headline story. The Finnish winger not only scored the opening goal but also added two assists, fueling the Stars’ offensive surge.

Dallas’ scoring depth shined in that contest, with Nils Lundkvist, Jason Robertson, Tyler Seguin, and Wyatt Johnston each finding the back of the net. Goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 21 of 25 shots in his season debut, shaking off a late-game push by Winnipeg to preserve the win.

Head coach Glen Gulutzan, who earned his first victory since returning to Dallas’ bench, emphasized that early chemistry and structure are key to sustaining momentum.

“You can see the offensive instincts are there,” Gulutzan said postgame. “But it’s about the details — managing the puck, protecting leads, and playing smart in the neutral zone. That’s what we’ll need to do in Colorado.”

Dallas will once again rely on its elite top six to generate offense, with Robertson and Seguin anchoring the attack and Rantanen looking to make another statement — this time against his old teammates.

Avalanche Riding Early-Season Confidence

The Colorado Avalanche (2-0-0, 4 pts) are off to a strong start, winning back-to-back games to open the season while allowing just two goals total. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has been sharp, posting a .955 save percentage, while Colorado’s blue line has looked organized and mobile in transition.

Offensively, the Avalanche are averaging three goals per game, powered by their trademark balance and pace. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have already combined for five points, and Mikko Rantanen’s absence hasn’t seemed to slow down the team’s scoring machine. Still, the emotional weight of facing the team that ended their postseason run last spring adds extra motivation.

“We remember that series very well,” MacKinnon said Friday. “They played a hard, physical style and executed. It’s early in the season, but any time you get a chance to measure yourself against Dallas, it means something.”

The Avalanche have also welcomed contributions from their supporting cast — Logan O’Connor, Ross Colton, and Valeri Nichushkin have all tallied goals in the early going.

Key Matchups & Betting Outlook

Oddsmakers have the Avalanche as -140 favorites, with the Stars listed at +120 underdogs and an over/under set at 6 goals.

The matchup pits two of the NHL’s most dynamic power plays against each other. Dallas converted twice on the man advantage in its opener, while Colorado’s unit, led by Makar’s booming point shot, is 2-for-7 through its first two games.

For bettors, the value may lie in Dallas +1.5 on the puck line, given their offensive consistency and familiarity with Colorado’s defensive tendencies. The Over 6 goals has appeal, too, as both teams feature top-tier forward depth and aggressive blue-line activation.

Storylines to Watch

• Rantanen’s Return: Saturday marks Rantanen’s first game in Denver since departing in free agency. He famously recorded a natural hat trick in Game 7 of last year’s playoff series — ironically sealing Colorado’s fate in defeat. Expect a loud reaction from Avalanche fans.

• Oettinger vs. Georgiev: Both goalies have something to prove — Oettinger looking to establish early rhythm after an uneven opener, and Georgiev aiming to stay perfect on the year.

• Physical Tone: Expect playoff-level intensity early. These teams combined for 156 hits in their postseason series last spring.

Prediction

Dallas’ offense looks deeper than ever, and Rantanen’s emotional return could spark another big night. Still, Colorado’s early-season sharpness and home-ice energy will make this one a grind.

Prediction: Avalanche 4, Stars 3 (OT)
Best Bet: Over 6 goals (-110)

The rivalry resumes Saturday night — and for both teams, it feels like the playoffs never really ended.