The Colorado Avalanche’s 2025 playoff run came to a sudden and painful end after a crushing Game 7 loss to the Dallas Stars — and franchise cornerstone Nathan MacKinnon isn’t sugarcoating how it feels. Despite a promising start and a two-goal lead early in the third period, the Avalanche watched it all slip away in stunning fashion, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.
Former Avs forward Mikko Rantanen led the charge for Dallas with a performance Avalanche fans won’t soon forget. In what felt like a personal revenge tour, Rantanen netted a hat trick and chipped in an assist during the final 13 minutes, effectively dismantling Colorado’s postseason hopes. The Avalanche, who entered the series as strong Cup contenders, are now left to wrestle with yet another early exit.
Following the heartbreaking loss, MacKinnon gave a raw and honest assessment of the team’s position. When asked whether it’s difficult to believe the Avalanche are still contenders when they can’t get past the first round, he didn’t hold back.
“Yeah, definitely,” MacKinnon admitted. “They’re missing their best D and maybe their best forward. We still couldn’t beat them. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
MacKinnon’s comments refer to the notable absences on Dallas’ roster — All-Star defenseman Miro Heiskanen and high-scoring forward Jason Robertson. Heiskanen, sidelined since January with a lower-body injury, is a key pillar in the Stars’ defensive core and a significant offensive contributor. Meanwhile, Robertson, who racked up 80 points during the regular season, missed the series after suffering an injury in the final game of the regular season. Even without their two stars, the Stars managed to outlast the Avalanche in a full seven-game series.
To add salt to the wound, the Avalanche had a significant boost heading into the postseason: the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog. After nearly three years off the ice due to injuries, Landeskog’s return was expected to reignite Colorado’s spark. And with MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and a largely healthy roster ready to go, expectations were sky-high. However, the Avalanche simply couldn’t close out the series despite several dominant stretches.
The disappointment is palpable. Though MacKinnon and Makar still rank among the NHL’s elite, and Colorado remains a perennial Cup favorite on paper, the bitter taste of another early playoff exit lingers. The team’s future remains bright, but confidence appears to be shaken. For now, the Avalanche are left with tough questions — and even tougher answers — as they reflect on what went wrong in a season that once held so much promise.
