Stars Edge Avalanche in Shootout, Trim Central Division Lead

Dallas Stars defeat Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in a tight matchup between the NHL's top two teams

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:35am

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The Dallas Stars defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in a shootout on Wednesday night in Denver. The win moves the Stars to within two points of the Avalanche in the Central Division standings. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger made 33 saves through overtime and stopped two shots in the shootout, while Wyatt Johnston scored the lone goal in the shootout for the Stars. Cale Makar scored for the Avalanche in regulation, but Colorado has now lost three straight games.

Why it matters

This was a crucial matchup between the top two teams in the NHL's Central Division. The Stars' victory tightens the race at the top of the division, setting up an intriguing final stretch of the regular season as the teams battle for the top seed in the Western Conference and the league overall.

The details

The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a power-play goal by defenseman Cale Makar, his 20th of the season. But the Stars tied it in the second period when Nathan Bastian's shot caromed to Jason Robertson, who beat Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood. After a scoreless overtime, Wyatt Johnston scored the only goal in the shootout to give Dallas the victory.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • The Avalanche and Stars have one more regular season matchup scheduled for April 4, 2026 in Dallas.

The players

Jake Oettinger

The Dallas Stars' starting goaltender, who made 33 saves through overtime and stopped two shots in the shootout.

Wyatt Johnston

The Dallas Stars' forward who scored the lone goal in the shootout to give his team the victory.

Cale Makar

The Colorado Avalanche's star defenseman, who scored a power-play goal in the first period to give his team the initial lead.

Scott Wedgewood

The Colorado Avalanche's starting goaltender, who made 17 saves through overtime and stopped two shots in the shootout.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Colorado Avalanche's star forward, who had a chance to extend the shootout but was wide on his shot.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for us against the top team in the league. We knew it was going to be a battle and our guys really stepped up.”

— Rick Bowness, Dallas Stars Head Coach

“We had our chances but couldn't capitalize. Oettinger made some big saves and they found a way to win in the shootout.”

— Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche Head Coach

What’s next

The Avalanche and Stars will meet one more time in the regular season on April 4, 2026 in Dallas. This final matchup could have major implications for the top seed in the Western Conference and the NHL overall.

The takeaway

This hard-fought battle between the NHL's top two teams showcases the intense competition at the top of the league. The Stars' victory tightens the Central Division race and sets up an exciting finish to the regular season as these powerhouse squads jockey for playoff positioning.