Colorado Avalanche Face Dallas Stars After Malinski's 2-Goal Game

Avalanche look to bounce back after high-scoring loss to Canucks.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, with the players' uniforms and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, as the teams battle for crucial playoff positioning.Dallas Today

The Colorado Avalanche will visit the Dallas Stars after forward Sam Malinski scored two goals in the Avalanche's 8-6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in their previous game.

Why it matters

The Avalanche are looking to get back on track after the high-scoring defeat, while the Stars will aim to take advantage of their opponent's recent struggles. This matchup between two Western Conference playoff contenders could have important implications for the postseason race.

The details

Malinski's two-goal performance was a bright spot for the Avalanche in their loss to the Canucks. However, the team's defense struggled to contain Vancouver, allowing eight goals. Colorado will need to tighten up defensively as they take on a talented Stars squad led by captain Jamie Benn.

  • The Avalanche lost to the Canucks on April 1, 2026.
  • The Avalanche will visit the Stars on April 3, 2026.

The players

Sam Malinski

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who scored two goals in the team's previous game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Jamie Benn

The captain of the Dallas Stars, a key player for the team as they look to secure a playoff spot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We need to learn from this game and come out stronger against Dallas. Our defense has to be better if we want to win games down the stretch.”

— Sam Malinski, Avalanche Forward

What’s next

The Avalanche and Stars will face off on April 3, 2026, in a crucial Western Conference matchup. The outcome of this game could impact the playoff positioning for both teams as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

This game between the Avalanche and Stars features two teams looking to solidify their playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference. Colorado will need to shore up its defense after a high-scoring loss, while Dallas will aim to take advantage of the Avalanche's recent struggles.