Avalanche finally get bounces, and rightfully won’t apologize for them in huge win

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 7-4 on Thursday night to force a pivotal Game 7 on Saturday.

And yes, for the first time in this series the puck luck was seemingly finally on Colorado’s side.

At least two of the goals, Valeri Nichushkin’s first to make it 1-0 and Nathan MacKinnon’s game-winner that give Colorado the lead for good, had some elements of good fortune.

Nichushkin’s goal went off a Stars player and in, while MacKinnon’s tally hit multiple Dallas players before getting behind Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.

But no apologies needed. And Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood who had a tough second period giving up four, but otherwise held Dallas scoreless, isn’t complaining about it.

Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stayed cool after a tough second period. And his answer at the end about puck luck is a good one. He’s not going to apologize that Colorado finally got some bounces tonight. pic.twitter.com/Dd9yE5dEu1

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 2, 2025

“Yeah, it’s great whenever you’re on the right end of kind of a weird, puck luck goal. So, you know, we’ll take that. That’s something that we’ll take all day long,” Blackwood said.

After Blackwood was the victim of two bad bounces that put the Avalanche down 2-0 in Game 5, it was about time.

And superstar defenseman Cale Makar got in on the action, finding an empty net to make it 7-4 for his first goal of the series. Makar has been relentless, but Oettinger has simply had his number.

He knows he and the team had to keep peppering the Dallas net-minder and eventually good things would happen.

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar finally got a goal in this series, which happened to be an empty-netter, despite his relentless pressure. Makar knows he and the team just have to keep firing pucks on Jake Oettinger. pic.twitter.com/J9MLByGQr8

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 2, 2025

“We’re just trying to get it to the net. I know at some time you’re going to break that seal, it’s just a matter of time. So sometimes just got to keep with it,” Makar said.

As for the rest of the game. What an emotional roller coaster. Down 4-3 after two periods, it looked like the season might end in disappointing fashion on May 1. Instead, Colorado will head to Texas for a winner-take-all showdown.

Captain Gabriel Landeskog knew this team was resilient, while head coach Jared Bednar says they still need one more massive win to advance to Round 2.

“Our team responded. Hopefully we can do it one more time.”

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar in a good mood, but not too much emotion after that insane night.

Still business to attend to in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/KxHF2stRdm

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 2, 2025

So, here we go.

One of these teams will take this series and have a great shot at a Stanley Cup. The other will hit summer vacation way too early.

Let’s hope the Avalanche can send the Stars to a beach.

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