3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 3-2 Loss to the Stars

The Colorado Avalanche, fresh off a 3-2 win in Dallas, headed back home to complete the second half of a home-and-away with the Stars on Wednesday night. These two have been bitter rivals for years and it always feels like a big game when they come together.

It was another tightly contested game between the two, this one requiring a shootout to solve. Though both teams played well, the Stars ultimately got the extra point over their division rivals, returning the favor with a 3-2 win of their own.

This Was a Playoff Atmosphere

Every time these two play, there is a big fight feel. With Cale Makar back after becoming a new dad, the star power was at its apex. With some of the best defenses in the NHL, it should come as no surprise that goals were at a premium (a little more on that later).

The physicality of a playoff series isn’t going to be there when you’re seven games into a season, but both teams were defensively responsible and both Casey DeSmith and Scott Wedgewood played well in their respective nets.

This rivalry has really become one of the NHL’s best in recent seasons. Though the Stars are starting a bit slower than they may have liked, it is still early, and both teams still have good hockey ahead of them.

Schwartz Continues to be a Needle Mover

The superstars for the Avalanche will get most of the attention, and deservedly so, but one of the more unsung difference makers for them has been Jaden Schwartz. Though he didn’t technically land on the score sheet, he did have a visible impact on the game.

A pair of goals were called back against the Avalanche, both of which Schwartz had a hand in. He has three goals and six points through seven games so far, quite impressive for a third-line winger.

His pace is going to slow down but Schwartz has been a shot in the arm for Colorado’s bottom-six offense. The fact that he can contribute on the power play only makes him more versatile, not to mention more valuable, for the Avalanche.

Brock Nelson on a Heater

Nelson had a very impressive season in 2025-26, scoring 33 goals en route to earning a nomination for the Selke Trophy as one of the league’s top defensive forwards. Early into this season, he has showed no signs of slowing down.

Nelson scored the game-tying goal in the third period, his third of the season. The 35-year-old continues to be one of the game’s best 200-foot players, and he has given the Avalanche one of the most formidable one-two punches down the middle alongside Nathan MacKinnon.

Nelson has had points in three of his last four games and goals in two of his last three. If there is anything to criticize him about, he’s off to a slow start in the faceoff circle, winning just 46.6% of his draws but even that feels like nitpicking his game at this stage.

Earning 3 of 4 Points Against Dallas Is Solid

After dropping a back-and-forth affair against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Avalanche responded about as well as could be hoped. Getting three of a possible four points against the Stars is a nice feather in the cap, but it is still early.

They have a chance to build a little bit of momentum with a very favorable schedule. They have the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils (twice), Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Blackhawks as seven of their next eight. Don’t be surprised if the Avalanche are suddenly streaking as November gets underway.