Avalanche and Stars Conclude Season Series in Pivotal Central Division Matchup

Colorado looks to rebound after loss to Canucks as Dallas aims to solidify playoff positioning

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:48pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the intensity of the matchup.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes clash between the Avalanche and Stars, two of the NHL's top teams battling for Central Division supremacy.Dallas Today

The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, the top two teams in the Central Division, will meet for the fourth and final time this season on Saturday. The Avalanche are coming off an 8-6 loss to the lowly Vancouver Canucks, raising concerns about their form heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Stars are looking to build momentum after a 3-0 shutout win over the Winnipeg Jets. This game could have major implications for the division title and playoff seeding.

Why it matters

As the regular season winds down, this matchup between the Avalanche and Stars is crucial for both teams' playoff positioning. The Avalanche currently lead the division, but the Stars are just six points behind. A win for Dallas could help them close the gap and potentially overtake Colorado for the division title. Additionally, the teams have gone to a shootout in each of their three previous meetings this season, indicating the close nature of their rivalry.

The details

The Avalanche are coming off a disappointing 8-6 loss to the Canucks, a game in which they pulled starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood after he allowed six goals on 19 shots. Head coach Jared Bednar was critical of his team's performance, saying they can't make excuses if they want to make a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Stars are looking to build on their recent 3-0 shutout win over the Jets, in which goaltender Jake Oettinger made 22 saves for his third shutout of the season. The Stars have taken the Avalanche to a shootout in each of their three previous meetings this year, winning two of those shootouts.

  • The Avalanche and Stars will meet for the fourth and final time this regular season on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Avalanche lost 8-6 to the Canucks on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Jared Bednar

Head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

Sam Malinski

Forward for the Colorado Avalanche who had two goals and an assist in the loss to the Canucks.

Brent Burns

Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who had a goal and an assist in the loss to the Canucks.

Jake Oettinger

Goaltender for the Dallas Stars who recorded a 22-save shutout against the Jets.

Adam Erne

Forward for the Dallas Stars who had a goal and an assist in the win over the Jets.

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What they’re saying

“I think if we're making excuses for that performance, it's gonna be a short (playoff) run.”

— Jared Bednar, Head coach, Colorado Avalanche

“Lately, I've been trying to work on just staying in it the whole game. It's pretty easy to doze off, and next thing you know, it's in the back of your net.”

— Jake Oettinger, Goaltender, Dallas Stars

“When you go to the playoffs, you can't just flip a switch and get going. It's something you have to build toward. I think we want to finish these last seven games or so and put ourselves in a spot here where we're happy with our game come Game 1 of the playoffs.”

— Adam Erne, Forward, Dallas Stars

What’s next

The Avalanche and Stars will meet for the fourth and final time in the regular season on Saturday, April 4, 2026. This game could have major implications for the Central Division title and playoff seeding.

The takeaway

This matchup between the top two teams in the Central Division is a must-watch as the regular season winds down. The Avalanche will look to rebound from their disappointing loss to the Canucks, while the Stars aim to solidify their playoff positioning. The close nature of the teams' previous meetings this season suggests this game could come down to the wire.